IT’S time to saddle up and head on over to Welshpool this weekend for one of Britain’s biggest celebrations of country music.
Fans have been arriving all week with camping on the Powis Castle Showfield hosting the annual 32nd Welshpool Country Music Festival with three stages and numerous other events and attractions over the three days starting on Friday, July 19, when the T. Alun Jones main stage features Memphis Belle.
Saturday includes husband and wife duo Jonny and Lynnette, winners of the CCN duo of the year award in 2016 and 2018, with Lynnette also winning best female vocalist of the year in 2017.
They are one of the most in demand acts on the country circuit and Welshpool is delighted to finally welcome them to the festival. Their musicianship, banter and repertoire are guaranteed to get the festival jumping.
There will also be the opening act Alan Westwood, composer of the festival theme 'The South Will Rise Again', plus the Ian Highland Band, the Cumberland Road Trio, Black Steel Trio and Aberystwyth band The Hicksters on Saturday.
Sunday, July 21, includes Steve Cherelle with his John Denver tribute, husband and wife duo Souls & Stone, the Danny Lee Band returning by popular demand after their 2016 festival show, the Kalibre duo and the Capricorn Band,
Compering will be Paul Challinor celebrating 41 years in showbusiness and his 25th year in the Welshpool festival role.
Brand new for this year is the UKCountryRadio.com stage which also has an exciting line-up with sessions by modern country singer-songwriter Louise Parker, acoustic vocal harmony duo Tennessee Waltz, Chester trio JakLash Cat, acoustic band Elbow Jake, popular local duo The Odd Bods, Steve Bonham, Jasper’s Daughter, Helena Mace, Johnny Chirnside, Nick Ward and The Hicksters.
There is also the Saloon Stage with festival favourite Pedro, plus Memphis Belle and local ladies' pop choir Castle Belles.
Other attractions and competitions include the traditional opening Westerners Charge, and the closing American Trilogy performance, plus Fast Draw contest and much more.
The Festival is organised by the Heulwen Trust charity and is their main fundraiser using the profits to bring enjoyment and pleasure to people who are less able than most by providing trips along the Montgomery Canal, using their two purpose-built narrow boats.
These trips are completely free of charge, and to date 10s of thousands of people, of all ages, have been able to take advantage of the trust’s facilities.
It costs over £30,000 per year to run the boats and for more information on the Heulwen Trust’s work, see www.heulwentrust.co.uk
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