Celebrating the arts (From Stroud News and Journal)

Celebrating the arts

HEAVENLY music, top performances and jazz legends are all in the offing as Painswick gears up for its annual Festival of the Arts.

Featuring a varied programme of exhibitions and performances from some of the country's top musicians, organisers are hoping this year's festival, which runs from Saturday, November 6 until Saturday, November 20, will be one to remember.

Highlights include hotly-anticipated performances from music legend Acker Bilk, top chamber choir Cambridge Voices and accomplished pianist Ian de Massini.

Well-known amateur drama group the Painswick Players, now in their 81st year, will also be on stage performing Robert Bolt classic A Man for all Seasons.

There will also be a number of workshops in everything from creative writing to choral singing and banner-making for the festival-goer keen to try something new.

The village's historic St Mary's Church provides the venue for many of the events and will also be the main beneficiary, with festival cash funding church projects including work with young musicians and restoring the roof of the 13th century St Peter's Chapel.

"Painswick is jam-packed with talent," said Painswick vicar Revd John Longuet Higgins. "The goal of the Painswick Festival fortnight is to channel all this artistic talent and get the whole community involved.

"It will also help fund our young musicians - we would love to grow a junior choir - and of course we want to raise funds to restore the roof of St Peter's Chapel."

Details and tickets for all Festival events are available now at the Shetland Shop in Painswick, the Stroud Tourist Information Centre or Liz Davies on 01452 812211.