| Around Willingham Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th June |
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Please note that events are subject to change, often for reasons beyond our control. We will do do our best to keep this page up to date with the most recent information. The details of some events, such as the Red Arrow Fly Past, will be updated nearer the time.
Thursday 23rd June
Willingham Churches - Open Day
Where: Willingham Parish Church, St Mary and All Saints
When: Thursday 23rd, Friday 24th, Saturday 25th, 11.00AM to 14.00PM
Willingham Parish Church and St Mary and All Saints Church will be part of the network of churches opening its doors during Thursday to Saturday of the Festival. A guide will be available to show people around and answer questions. A well researched model of a medieval Willingham manor house will also be on display whilst the guide is present.
willinghamchurch.org and willinghamlife.org
Friday 24th June
Willingham Churches - Open Day
Where: Willingham Parish Church, St Mary and All Saints
When: Thursday 23rd, Friday 24th, Saturday 25th, 11.00AM to 16.00PM
See Thursday above for event details.
An Evening of Music
Where: Willingham Social Club, Fen End, Willingham
When: Friday 24th June, 7.30PM to 11.30PM
Ticketing: £7.50, Available from Willingham Social Club,
Willingham Post Office (High Street), The Duke of Wellington Public House (Church Street) and Cottenham Corner Shop.
Also by phone on 01954 260647. Other: Bar available
The gig will include three PLC (pop/blues stuff), Alchemy and Keith Pearson’s Coup de Grass.
Keith Pearson's Coup de Grass is an exciting mix of all that is great in Bluegrass and in Folk. Their music, which ranges from fast, dazzling banjo, guitar and harmonica solos to ballads of exceptional beauty is just a part of what makes them one of the most popular and sought after acts currently playing the clubs and concert stages.
The live show, presented with good humour, expertise and intelligence, features: - virtuoso instrumental performances, exquisite vocal harmonies, superb original song - writing, and a great deal of eccentric humour; in other words - entertainment for discerning audiences, especially those who like real musicians, playing real musical instruments. Each band-member has an individual style refined by a lifetime of diverse musical influences, which is one of the reasons why Coup de Grass are among the few Bluegrass-influenced acts who take their music beyond the insular confines of partisan, purist clubs and out into the wider world of venues for those who just like great music. Time and time again, at concerts and festivals, people come up to the band after a show and say "I didn't realise how much I liked that kind of music until I heard this band."
Coup de Grass evolved from a band originally called the Cross Country Flyers, formed by Keith Pearson in the early 80s with Tim Jellis and Phil Milner, after Keith won the Marlboro Country Music Contest. In 1989, World Harmonica Champion, James Darby, joined the line-up, seeking to form a hotshot Country Band, and the resulting mixture of styles gave rise to a new band called The Hitkickers. Over several years this unique band acquired a cult following among the more musically adventurous fans of British Country. Having decided to concentrate on Folk and World Music festivals and concerts, rather than C and W clubs, the band formerly known as The Hitkickers (and occasionally also known as the Bluegrass Gentlemen and the Left Hand Band) is now officially called Coup de Grass.
The melodic perfection and rocking-Country feel of their opening number - the classic "Orange Blossom Special" - wins audiences over right from the start with the irresistible way it showcases Keith's banjo-playing and James's harmonica. When you hear some of Keith's songs such as "Lovers Again", which you can imagine being sung by Emmylou Harris, you know you are in the presence of a class act. More details on keithpearson.co.uk
