AROUND THE COUNTY

Devizes Arts Festival is back in full swing Awide range of events for all tastes and ages will take place in various locations across the town centre next month.

Soprano Lesley Garrett will present an evening of song, reminiscences, chat, and anecdotes to give a unique insight into her life on the stage. The Darius Brubeck Quartet will be performing at the Corn Exchange.Comedy events come include BBC Radio 4’s copturned-comedian Alfie Moore and the Scummy Mummies.

Classical events range from the internationally acclaimed Leonore Piano Trio, to the award-winning chamber ensemble the Borealis Saxophone

Top: Tankus the Henge, known for their spectacular live performances.

Quartet. Bestselling crime fiction writer, Sophie Hannah, who has written three Poirot novels, talks about her work. Well known author ‘duo’ Nicci French will enlighten will enchant with their presentation.

For inspirational talks, leading travel commentator Simon Calder, and gardening personality Adam Frost will delight audiences with their experiences.

Other musical events include Tankus the Henge with explosive pyrotechnic numbers, Colombian dance band Baia laCumbia, The Homing with an eclectic mix of folk, rock and country, Asa Murphy and his band. There will be free fringe events across the town and the festival ends with a rave hosted by well known Irish band Absolute. • The festival runs from June

Left: Soprano Lesley Garrett.

Right: The Darius Brubeck Quartet.

10 to 25. For details and booking information: www. devizesartsfestival.org.uk

Platinum Jubilee trees set to blossom for generations

The flowering hawthorn trees were planted at St John’s on Long Street in the centre Devizes in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

The Rector of St John with St Mary, the Reverend Jonathan Poston, said: “The flowering hawthorns will replace older trees that have died over the years, and will therefore restore the avenue along the path to the church from the Long Street gate.

They will be a reminder for future generations of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 – an anniversary that has never been seen in the thousand years since William the Conqueror.

“I am particularly grateful to the team of volunteers who came out on a cold March day to get the work done so quickly.”

Felicity Cole of the Friends of St John’s and St Mary’s Churchyards, said:

“It was a real team effort to get the trees planted so quickly – including from the team from Community Payback who dug the holes in advance. Afterwards, the rector came and blessed them, that they might be a blessing to people in the town for decades to come.”

Left to right: Felicity Cole, Jane Scorer, the Rev’d Jonathan Poston, Liz Overthrow, Shirley Urwin, Sarah Stevens.

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WILTSHIRE LIFE

May 2022