The Big Busk to fill the streets of Shrewsbury with music this weekend
Shrewsbury’s streets will be filled with music this weekend as the Big Busk returns with fun for all the family.
This year, the previous one day event will take place over two days.
And while the Saturday will follow the successful formula of previous years with music around the streets of Shrewsbury town centre, Sunday will be a little bit different, while still keeping the welcome and inclusiveness that is at the very heart of the Big Busk philosophy.
Easter Sunday events will kick off at midday at St Chad’s Church, with the fun continuing until 4pm – and there will be something for everyone, whether they are young or just young at heart.
Events will include the first Great Shrewsbury Easter Egg Hunt, organised by award-winning Shrewsbury chocolatier Julia Wenlock of Toot Sweets, and an Easter Bonnet Competition for Under-11s to design their own seasonal headwear, with the winning design being donned by Shrewsbury Mayor Councillor Beverley Baker.
Activities will include making music from junk with 'Whack It Smack It'; 'Bambino Bazaar' pottery workshops; chocolate making workshops from Julia at Toot Sweets and ukulele and dance workshops for all ages, as well as traditional family favourites like face painting.
Music, and musicians of all kinds will fill the beautiful St Chad’s Church with everything from acoustic duos to haunting harmonies, impressive pianists and a sneak preview of Get Your Wigle On's Phantom of the Opera.
Thee Big Busk is organised in memory of a well-known figure around Shrewsbury, Ben Bebbington, who died after an unprovoked attack by two men in September 2012.
During this year's event Ben's music and voice will be heard by the public for the first time, thanks a local musician. A song written, performed and recorded by Ben has been reworked by Shrewsbury singer/songwriter Paul Henshaw, and will be performed as a duet between Ben and Paul.
And in another first, Paul and his band, the Scientific Simpletons, will also perform on the roof of the iconic St Chad’s Church during the two-day festival.
Throughout the weekend volunteers will be on hand with collection buckets for anyone wishing to make a donation and all money raised will go to Shrewsbury Ark, a drop-in centre for homeless and vulnerable people which supported Ben during his life.
Last year the event raised £5000 for Shrewsbury Ark.
