West Fest, Music Festival 2013, Worcestershire,

Main stage to left of inflatable slide

West Fest is a small music festival held annually in West Malvern, Worcestershire. This year it took place on the 6th July, a fantastically beautiful Saturday, bathed in sunshine and set as always on the village playing fields. This year there were three music stages, as a new stage, The Deakin Diversity stage, made it's first appearance. The main stage, (loud electric) and the second stage, (which is an acoustic stage) played host to 15 different bands, rock and roll/ jazz/ country/ original groups and those playing mostly covers- a very varied mix. The diversity stage had a more "world music" feel, but also saw a silent disco take it's turn. I have been to every West Fest, and the event must have been going now for about ten years. The bands get better and better each year.

View from inside the shade of beer tent

A one day event it's entry is priced so anyone can afford to go, and all it's profits go every year to help various charities. Look out for when it is to be staged next year as it is well worth visiting.

There were also at least twenty art and craft stalls etc

Malvern Hills area, Well dressing and May day celebrations, Worcestershire.

Elgar statue explaining this years theme

 The Malvern Well Dressing Festival takes place annually on the first weekend in May, and so is on now. It is the biggest event of it's type nationally and guided tours and various water-blessing ceremonies are part of the weekend.

Jack and the Beanstalk

This years theme as advertised by Edward Elgar's statue, is "Once upon a time..." Over forty different wells will be decorated around the Malvern Hills. Some are decorated by groups such as WI, the Brownies and schools, whilst others are the work of individuals and families. 

These are just those I happen to have passed today whilst out and about. The Jack and the Beanstalk well, is at the Jubilee Fountain on Grundys Lane and is the work of the Friends of Malvern Wells Primary School.

Princess and the frog

The Princess and the Frog well is the Willow Spring and was decorated by Helen Reeves.

Hobbit/Lord of the rings

The Hobbit/ Lord of the Rings inspired well showing Bag End, home of Bilbo Baggins, was the work of Sheila Maund, whilst the fairy tale well is the Hayslad well, dressed by Dan and Karen Smith.

Which is your favourite ?

And if you are in Malvern this weekend a Mayday Toga Celebration and other Mayday based activities will be taking place tomorrow, Saturday 4th May, from 11am at St Ann's well above Great Malvern.

Fairy tales inspired entry