Festival organisers unveil their full and diverse programme for the popular arts event in October

TICKETS for this year’s Goosfest are now on sale – and selling fast following the launch of a new website.

The annual festival of music and arts is held every October in Goostrey, and this year’s celebration runs from Friday, October 5 to Monday, October 22.

Online booking opened with the launch of the new website – goosfest.com – two months ahead of the launch of the box office line which will open to callers on September 3.

Key events at the diverse celebration include an evening of comedy by veteran broadcasters Barry Cryer and Colin Sell, an evening with The Royal Geographical Society featuring intrepid explorer Benedict Allen, a 1960s night by The Revolvers, a concert by iconic Liverpool band The Christians, and a Country and Western night featuring up-and-coming Nashville-style singer Jeannine Barry and her band.

Goosfest committee chairman William Ollier said: “Considering that Goosfest is organised by a group of enthusiastic volunteers, we’re delighted that our growing reputation of hosting one of the best music and arts festivals in the north west means we can attract an increasingly diverse mix of both well-known and up-and-coming acts. We work hard to put together a programme which we hope offers something for everyone, but we also want to challenge people to experience something new.”

Goosfest 18 opens on October 5 with a concert by internationally-renowned saxophonist Snake Davis and his five-piece band, followed on Saturday, October 6 by a fun-filled evening – ‘Strictly Come Joking’ - featuring comedians and broadcasters Barry Cryer and Colin Sell.

Sunday, October 7 sees an evening about the life and music of Bob Dylan, featuring north west guitarist Les Renshaw and former Cheshire Poet Laureate and Bob Dylan aficionado John Lindley.

Events on Tuesday, October 9 begin with a lunch and entertainment at the Swettenham Arms – What a Swell Party – The Life and Music of Cole Porter.

Also that day is the Café Scientifique lecture by Dr Antonio Chrysostomou, Head of science operations planning for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) organisation, an international collaboration to build the world’s largest telescope, with its headquarters at Jodrell Bank Observatory.

The morning of Wednesday, October 10 sees a joint Goosfest/Goostrey Guild lecture – The History of the World Viewed from Chester – by Dr Philip Morgan, a medieval historian at Keele University.

In the evening, there will be a touring production of Standing in Line to mark this year’s centenary of the end of the First World War.

First performed in Passchendaele church, Belgium, it is a story of The Great War told through songs, readings, and images.

There’s a popular Sounds of the ‘60s evening on Friday, October 12, featuring The Revolvers, and a headline concert on Saturday, October 13 by Liverpool band The Christians.

Children are catered for on Sunday afternoon, October 14 with a return visit by the duo who captivated families last year with their afternoon of ‘Scary Science’.

This year’s event features ‘Pirates’ Stories, Songs and Game’, and children are encouraged to dress up as pirates.

That evening, there’s a performance by The Hope Brass Ensemble, led by Simon Beesley, co-principal oboe player with Stockport Symphony Orchestra.

A festival favourite is afternoon tea and entertainment at the Yellow Broom restaurant, Twemlow.

This year’s recital on Tuesday, October 16 is by The Madeis Duo, a talented cello and guitar pairing.

The day concludes with the Goosfest Comedy Night – this year compered by stand-up comedian Jon Pearson.

It includes Marvyn Dickenson, Hannah Silvester and headline act, Steve Royle, voted Entertainer of the Year at the recent Red Rose Awards.

There’s a third daytime Goosfest lecture on Wednesday, October 17 – Living in the Roman countryside of Cheshire – by archaeological consultant Dr Rob Philpott.

The next day, Thursday, October 18, prepare for a hoedown as Goosfest is hosting a Country and Western night, featuring up-and-coming singer Jeannine Barry and her band.

On Friday, October 19 ‘Goostrey Goes to Spain’ with a catered Spanish buffet supper followed by entertainment by a flamenco dancer, guitarist, and a Spanish singer. Goosfest nears the end of this year’s schedule with a Saturday night event on October 20 featuring top magician John Archer with his ‘Comedy, Magic and a Bit of Ukulele’.

Sunday afternoon, October 21, features the annual Goosfest organ recital in St Luke’s Church by George Robey, who lives in Cranage, in a programme called The Colours of the Organ.

The Goosfest-closing event on Sunday evening, October 21 – Lost in Papua New Guinea by Benedict Allen – is being held in conjunction with the Royal Geographical Society and will include book-signing before and after his presentation.

In addition The Red Lion and The Crown pubs are expected to hold free ‘fringe’ music evenings during Goosfest ’18.

  • Goosfest takes place from October 5 to 22. For tickets or more information visit goosfest.com

IAN ROSS