Bracknell Festival offers a great time for all

What is there to say when there is a festival approximately three miles from your front door? Yes I could have walked and have done more so at other festivals but I took the kids with me and god would they have moaned if had to walk. So the car was driven that much hated and god forsaken three miles with kids arguing the entire way and just hoping that the festival spirit would somehow diffuse the grumpiness between them…. Please make them chill.  

Bracknell is not exactly huge but a quaint up and coming town which despite the fact that I hate this saying, is known as "an overflow of London". Well which either way you look at it, it doesn’t exactly sound appealing, but there is however the new regeneration coming along which not only will bring in the town a lot more major sponsors and franchise but a huge amount of revenue to this pleasant place I like to call home…

This may not have been the largest of festivals but it certainly brought to this town some huge names drawing in the crowds to watch some of their favourite bands as well as some of our very own local talented artists. Well done Bracknell. Situated on the prestigious grounds of South Hill Park mansion built in 1760. It opened to the public to exhibit arts in 1972, and has allowed families and friends to appreciate picnic’s and games on the grounds ever since.

The festival encouraged this to continue in a family orientated manner with tents and stalls to occupy young ones with face painting or body art and the enjoyment of juggling and other fun games in the circus tent, whilst some bounced merrily in the Moon Walker inflatable Dome.  Others delight in the tantalising smells that waft across the grounds enticing you to their vans and tents to sample their wares… yummy!  Paella, crepes, crafted beers. Not forgetting the best of British burgers and sausages prepared for us by Royal Berkshire Grill and The Pod, but one cannot forget the oh so refreshing taste tingling drinks with a twist "Tea-Burst". So as usual my kids were "Mum, can I have this? Can I have that"? Nothing new there and then they vanish! Well one of them did I continued with my beautiful daughter in tow with a slight grump as she thought she may have bumped into a friend or two and didn’t.

With the sun continuing to shine and the guests flooding in, there was a feeling of comfort but exhilaration as bands preformed to an "oh" so appreciative audience.

 

From the Secret Garden came some local to the area bands such as the Willow band from Surrey whom write all their own lyrics from life experiences, to Abi Powell a nineteen year old up and coming singer/songwriter from right here in Bracknell whom started at the age of 15yrs and already has her own EP called Not this time and performed on BBC Berkshire…. Go Girl!
 On the main stage came some amazing names such as Caddy Cooper from Australia although resides in England at the moment, with her blues/country/folk music and had the audience clapping along not only to her music but with her welcoming entrance and enchanting smile and wearing an eye catching strawberries on white dress.

Other great names such as my new found friends Owen Paul, this group from one of my favourite places ever! Scotland. They really did get the people dancing and joining in with their eclectic 70’s – 80’s favourites and totally wooing the audience with the huge hit from the summer of 1986 Your my favourite waste of time.   I love that song.

Owen being the lead singer of XMS (Ex simple minds) and his brother Brian Mcgee was the original drummer and founding member…. and I cannot forget  Lyn, one of their backing singers from Farnham who has an amazing voice and the sweetest disposition,  I wish I had more time to spend with this group but they had another gig in Oxford straight after.

 

 

Retrostate, Sally Barker, The R'n'Beatles, and Space were all on top form pleasing the fans and crowds.  Then came one of Bracknell’s greatest, you guessed it the one and only The Hoosiers bringing serious amounts of screaming and wide eyes in front of the stage with a rocking performance from each and every  members totally captivating the audience below. Irwin sparks with his chiselled strong jaw line (what can a girl say) came on to stage looking totally cool in white suit and trendy sunglasses and immediately drawing everyone closer to the stage to dance and sing with his classic "Worried About Ray". But speaking with Irwin privately I got the impression that there may be something big happening as they are just coming up to their 10th Anniversary.  (Awesome).   But even I couldn’t control myself and had to get my groove on, not a great look may I add but never the less I am famous in my family for embarrassing my kids and I just do that so well so not one to disappoint.

My poor daughter that I had so obviously dragged kicking and screaming around the festival against her will, decided to pipe up that she had actually had a great time. Which for me that was really amazing to hear but I sincerely wished that the facial expressions has given me that information slightly earlier.  As for my son I really don’t think that there are words to describe the day that he had. He had made friends with one of the stalls that were promoting their music and company Hellsinki and were doing this via a silent disco… fantastic and certainly got people in the festival mood with their wacky science coats and 3D glasses. You do tend to forget that no one else can hear the music and that Your just dancing away with your hands in the air whilst jumping about with people staring. But who cares? I certainly didn’t and neither did anyone else that was brave enough to have a go.

The final couple to the stage came from Britain’s most successful country singing duo The Shires with their voices complimenting each other’s, both Ben and Crissie  brought class and sophistication with passion for their music and a sense of calm. Ben whist playing the guitar and Crissie wooing the crowds with her stunning looks and stylish yet comfy attire the pair let the festival finish on a note that would leave anyone in a mood to be happy about.

Let’s hope that Bracknell can produce more great names for next year and just a little more bedazzlement to bring in an even bigger crowd and show neighbouring towns what we are really capable off!

Bring it on Bracknell!