Tim Lee poses outside Bloom following his performance Words and Music Festival

The 8th annual Words and Music Festival in Nantwich has been hailed another massive success, writes Jonathan White.

Headline acts for the week-long festival included Barbara Dickson, Gruff Rhys, Thea Gilmore, The Christians and poet Kim Moore.

Performances took place in eight venues in the town with a range of chargeable and free events.

On Saturday, there was a free ‘OXJAM Saturday on The Square’ event to raise money for the aid and development charity Oxfam.

OXJAM featured The Blue Yellows, Weaver Vocal Group, Jim Farmer, James McGrath, Young Voices, Love Music Trust Sinfonia, and The Reads.

Sunday was poetry day and included a presentation to the winners of the Words and Music poetry competition, a reading from Kim Moore and a Poetry Slam.

Nantwich-based singer/songwriter Tim Lee, who performed acoustic ukulele and guitar sets at ‘Bloom’, said: “I’ve really enjoyed playing at the Words and Music Festival this year.

“It’s such an encouraging environment, both from the audience and from other performers who will come to your gigs and give you their support.

“It’s becoming more and more difficult to find gigs that will support original songwriters, let alone one that actively encourages creativity, so I’m honoured to play it and have enjoyed every minute.”

Nigel Stonier on guitar accompanies the Weaver Vocal Group at OXJAM at Words and Music Festival

Nantwich-based singer/songwriter Jonathan Tarplee, who performed solo and with his band The Blue Yellows, said: “There are two things I really love about this festival.

“Firstly, its absolute focus on original writing; songwriting, poetry and comedy.

“Secondly, the chance to see some huge names in really close-up venues, your heroes are there, right in front of you!

“Gruff Rhys was especially inspiring for me, he was pushing boundaries on so many levels, including the relationship between performer and punter.

“His show was enchanting, beautiful and hilarious, a rare combination!”

(All pictures courtesy of Jonathan White)

A poet performer at Poetry Slam during Words and Music Festival

Jonathan Tarplee and his band The Blue Yellows perform at OXJAM during Words and Music Festival

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