Mayor drops in to check on Telford music festival plans

The mayor of Telford & Wrekin dropped into Telford College to check on the planning progress for T-Fest – a one-day music festival which forms part of the town’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

The event is being organised by a group of students from the college, and will be held in the grounds of the Haybridge campus on Saturday May 5.

Jay Silva, the talented RnB and Neo-Soul vocalist and producer from the Mecca of Grime, has been signed up as the headliner, and the programme will also feature sets from a host of local artists.

The event, which has been made possible by a ‘Telford Pride @ 50 Celebration’ grant from Telford & Wrekin Council, will be raising funds for two charities – The Georgia Williams Trust, and Severn Hospice.

T-Fest tickets are now on sale through ticketing website www.skiddle.com. The minimum age for entry is 14.

Councillor Stephen Reynolds will be at the official opening of the event wearing two hats – as mayor of the borough, and an ambassador for Severn Hospice.

He visited the college’s Haybridge campus to chat to the organising committee, and also hear a DJ set from one of the acts on the bill, Paul North of Subvert.

“I’m really pleased that the students are supporting Severn Hospice and I’ll be delighted to open the event on the day,” said Councillor Reynolds, who will perform the opening alongside his colleague Councillor Lee Carter.

Telford College student Manny Singh Uppal, from the organising committee, said: “We wanted to do our bit to help mark the town’s 50th anniversary celebrations by staging a music festival organised by young people, for young people.

“We approached the council for a grant, which they have kindly given to us, and have since secured further sponsorship and support from local businesses.

“T-Fest will be held in the grounds of the college, with a main music stage, plus a dance tent. Gates open at 3.30pm, with the main event running from 4.30pm to 9pm.

“It’s been a great project to work on, involving students from a range of courses, based at both the college’s Haybridge and King Street campuses. Hopefully we can turn this into an annual event.”

He added: “We’re delighted to have secured Jay Silva as our headliner. We surveyed students to find out who they would like, and he was right at the top of the list.

“He first caught the music industry’s attention with See Me Now and he hasn't looked back with works such as Mixtape Madness.”

More than a dozen other acts will also be included on the programme, including many local performers.