Highworth's Wrde Up Festival extends an extra day thanks to Arts Council funding

By Jamie Hill - 20 May 2024

Arts and Culture

The team behind WrdeUp Festival 2024 have announced the extension of the event to Sunday 7th July, proudly funded by Arts Council England.

The additional day titled ‘WrdeUp Grassroots’ is supported using public funding by Arts Council England, specifically the ‘Supporting Grassroots Music’ fund.

Entry is free to anyone that had previously bought a ticket for the Friday or Saturday event, or admission is via a ‘pay-what-you-feel’ model so that everyone is able to attend, no matter their financial circumstances. 

A spokesperson said: "As well as programming a full day of grassroots music, the funding has allowed us to improve access facilities with the addition of a viewing platform and Mobiloo unit operated by Swindon Borough Council.

"Funding has also opened opportunities for a number of local music programs to be delivered via a number of partners. Beginner and intermediate jazz workshops along with jazz-dance lessons will be delivered in partnership with the newly formed Highworth Jazz Festival.

"Swindon DJ Paul Carroll will be running workshops at Highworth Warneford School and the organisers are also working with three local schools in the area to perform on the day! We are pleased to also be contributing £1000 to Warneford school completing their fund-raising challenge to buy a new sound system!

"Additionally, we are running a work experience program with a local secondary school so that they can have an exclusive behind the scenes experience of what goes into making events happen and what goes on behind the stage essentially! Here at Fandangos we’re passionate about events, so having the opportunity to show the younger generation how fun it is, is imperative to us!?

"The idea of the day is to provide new opportunities for those wanting to start or continue their journey into music and performance, plus inspire others by showcasing artists who have walked a similar grassroots path to the stage! The admission model of the event coupled with the music programming is designed to engage new audiences to experience a festival setting. 

"The WrdeUp Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary since first running and promises to be an incredible day for all who avail themselves, this additional day is the cherry on the top! 

"The Friday & Saturday line-up is now fully announced with the Grassroots names following soon. The three-day show will present a day of carefully programmed music, quality food & drink vendors plus epic family-friendly entertainment.

"We would like to thank the Arts Council England, funded by the UK Government for making this project possible."?

The event extension is subject to council approval from Highworth Town Council and is being discussed at an extra ordinary meeting on Tuesday 28 May.

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