SATURDAY 12th JULY 2008
10.00am to 4.00pm MARKET FAIR IN THE SQUARE
The Market Square is the place to be for everybody today. It's filled with colour and activity with a collection of stalls and games, plus refreshments. We have free entertainment all through the day with something to suit every taste and there will be lots of chairs scattered around if you want to come and relax for a few hours. We have many stalls ranging from local organisations to unique crafts both local and world wide.
For information on booking stalls see Booking Market Fair and Funday Stalls Page. Click Here
Approximate times for free entertainment are as follows:
10.00am - 11.00am The Harry Browns of Bristol
11.00am - 11.30am Punch and Judy
11.30am - 12.30pm The Harry Browns of Bristol
12.30pm - 1.30pm Merlin the Magician
1.30pm - 2.00pm Punch and Judy
2.00pm - 4.00pm Rooting Around
The Harry Browns of Bristol
Back by popular demand from last year's Festival. For the best in shanty and songs of the sea, The Harry Browns are shipshape and Bristol fashion. They come from the historic sea-port of Bristol and their name is taken from a battered old sand dredger which used to be based in the old docks. Their repertoire includes traditional shanties, many of which have origins in Bristol and the West Country, but also contemporary songs, which have maritime connections.
www.harrybrowns.org.uk
Sponsored by Somerton Business & Trade Association
Punch and Judy
"THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT", No introduction needed, you should know all the characters and if you don't, then ask the children.
Sponsored by Rainbow Rascals
Merlin the Amazing Stilt Walker
Merlin has many skills but specialises in juggling and wizardry. He also incorporates comedy, balancing and unicycling, to name but a few talents.
Sponsored by Somerton Town Council
Rooting Around
Since 2000 Rooting Around have been keeping traditional music alive throughout Somerset, Devon and Dorset with their energetic live performances and richly textured recordings. Each of the four band members contributes creatively to the band's distinctive sound, with their eclectic mix of Celtic, Eastern European, American and World Roots music. Rooting Around's musical talents in a refreshingly new way, while preserving the band's folk and acoustic roots. Further information about the band cab be found on the website:
www.rootingaround.co.uk
Sponsored by Somerton Town Council
10.00am - 4.00pm REFRESHMENTS - LIZ'S LAIR
Liz once again has agreed to lead her willing group of helpers to serve the usual tasty array of excellent home made cakes and sandwiches, as well as refreshing tea, coffee, squash or a nice cold drink. So come on in and say hello and get a wonderful cheery welcome from them with plenty of seats to rest your limbs and enjoy their wares.
Parish Rooms - Entry Free
10.00am - 4.00pm SOMERTON PAST EXHIBITION by the MARMADUKE CRADOCK TRUST
Come and see an exhibition about Somerton's old shops and businesses. A chance to see some of the Marmaduke Cradock historic items, which are usually kept in secure storage in Yeovil. Shop signs and beer jars, old maps and photographs, an enormous cider jug, a quilt made in 1892, milk records, bra bags and all sorts of other things belonging to the days when you could buy everything you needed in Somerton. Lots of photographs and old maps of Somerton.
Buy the latest books about Old Somerton, including "West Street as 'twas" by the U3A Local History Group.
Parish Rooms - Entry Free
12noon-2.00pm COURTYARD MUSIC with GREGORY WELLS-KING
Local electronic music artist, Gregory Wells-King, performs in 'The White Hart' bringing the sounds of 'Proxima 4' a blend of ambient soundscapes and modern pop electronica. This afternoon's set is split into 2 sessions opening with a blend of ambient groove and world cafe sounds from other established artists, followed by Greg performing his own works live. Come and enjoy your lunch with a modern and refreshing twist.
The White Hart Inn Courtyard - Entry Free
2.00pm ISSUES AFFECTING RURAL AREAS - A TALK BY DAVID HEATH MP
David Heath, MP for the constituency of Somerton & Frome, has kindly agreed to give a short talk followed by a question and answer session on pertinent issues facing rural parts of the country. Some of the factors that making country living different from urban living are: - the provision of healthcare services, transport issues & the cost of fuel and keeping businesses alive & our communities vibrant. This will not be a political platform, but a chance to hear the views of "Our man in Westminster" and to add your own comments and questions.
Methodist Church - Entry Free
4.00pm ORGAN RECITAL by JOHN BODILEY
John Bodiley read English at university, and taught in comprehensive schools in the Midlands, and in adult education in Lancashire. Church music has always been an interest, however, and following organ lessons at St. Matthew's Church, Northampton, with Michael Nicholas and Stephen Cleobury, he has held posts in churches in Bedford, Oxfordshire and Lancashire. He has also directed choral societies in Lancashire and Cumbria, and more recently, took over Burnham & Highbridge Choral Society for a year. He has been organist of St. Mary's Church, Bridgwater, and is currently Director of Music at Holy Trinity Church, Taunton. He retired as accompanist at Richard Huish College last year, and has just relinquished the post of accompanist to Bridgwater Choral Society. He is the holder of the L.T.C.L. Diploma as an organ performer.
St Michael and All Angels Church Tickets £3.00
Sponsored by Clarks International
7.30pm COR MEIBION MAESTEG A'R CYLCH - MAESTEG AND DISTRICT MALE CHOIR
Cor meibion Maesteg a'r cylch (Maesteg and District Male Choir) was formed in 1974 and, since then, has progressed from strength to strength both in popularity and reputation. The choir travels approximately every three weeks to carry out concerts for charities such as The Lions clubs, The Rotary, Cancer, NSPCC and the RNLI to name but a few. This year will be our 11th visit to the Albert Hall with the London Welsh 1000 Voices and the choir led the celebrations of the first Proms in the park at Hyde Park, which was linked to the Last Night at th4e Proms at the Albert Hall. Throughout the years, at our Annual Concert's we have shared the Maesteg Town Hall stage with opera stars such as, Bryn Terfyl, Dennis O'Neil, Rebecca Evans, Deime Bryn Jones, Beveriey Humphreys and Sian Cothi. The choirs tours have included France, Germany, Spain, Jersey and Guernsey
Rhian Yamin-Ali: Musical Director
Rhian was born in Bridgend and studied Sciences at "A" level before graduating from the Welsh College of Music and Drama with a B.Ed(Hons) in music. Whilst there, she also gained a teaching diploma and won the coveted John Ireland Piano Competition. She moved to France where she taught the piano for three years while also working for an English degree. On her return to Wales, she joined the musioc staff at Maesteg Comprehensive School and was later appointed Head of Music. She is now the Head of Music at Pencoed Comprehensive School.One of the more rewarding aspects of her job is being the Musical Director for all the school shows and concerts. Rhian is also an accomplished accompanist and is much in demand as an accompanist to various choirs and soloists.
Ryan Wood: Accompanist
Ryan has been playing the piano from a very young age and is in high demand as an Accompanist for s variety of choirs, theatre companies and solo artists. He began accompanying Maesteg Children's Choir in 1993 and became the Assistant Accompanist of Cor Meibion Maesteg a'r Cylch in 1997. He has since progressed to become their accompanist and Deputy Musical Director. He has also accompanied soloists from Welsh National Opera at various concert performances. More recently, Ryan has had the honour of accompanying Only Men Aloud! - an award winning male choir based in Cardiff. He has also accompanied Serendipity - an award winning mixed choir, also based in Cardiff. In 2007 Ryan was honoured to receive the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough's Bronze Award for Citizenship, in recognition of the work he has done in the community and for the monies raised for charity. www.cormeibionmaesteg.co.uk
St Michael and All Angels Church Tickets £10.00
Sponsored by Williams Supermarket
8.00pm WYLDE GREEN - Irish Band
One of the most popular Irish bands seen in Somerton
Cheeky, passionate, blood and guts foot-stomping Irish hooley music - just what you would expect an Irish band to be, but very rarely are. This was the criterion when Irishman Davey Keogh formed Wylde Green back in 1994. From small beginnings in Irish pubs and bars, the band plied their trade up and down the UK, playing the rough smoky pubs used by Irish workmen after they finished a hard day on the building site, where the craic was mighty, the beer was brutal and the floors were covered in concrete from the site. Here, a fight would always be on the cards but that was all part of the entertainment! It was in this atmosphere that songs were learned from the working Irishmen, scribbled down on the back of beer mats - Irish songs passed down over the years and not to be found in any book. The songs included everything from soft ballads and laments, foot-stomping old favourites and plenty of reels and jigs. Davey took these influences and started to write songs of his own to add to the band's repertoire. Over the years Davey and Wylde Green have built up a great reputation as a live band and have received excellent reviews for their four albums. They have gone on to play international music festivals with some of the biggest names in Irish music; from the Grammy award-winning Irish band The Chieftains, The Wolftones, Mary Black, to performing on the same bill as rock legend Robert Plant, and are now well established in the growing world-wide Irish music scene. But Davey has not forgotten his roots; he captures the earthy atmosphere of those far off early days and brings it to the stage. With professional presentation cheeky humour, energy and passion, a night with Davey Keogh and Wylde Green will leave any audience happily exhausted, a tear in their eye and a great smile on their face. You last saw them in Somerton in 2003, and now that we have a larger venue we are able to bring them back.www.wyldegreenofficial.com
A selection of Bar-B-Q meets and vegetarian options will be available 1 hour before the start of the Event and throughout the evening
The Festival Marquee Somerton Sports Club Tickets £10.00
Sponsored by Somerton Heating Services
