CREATIVE talents were on show during the first weekend of the Rugby Festival of Culture.
Local group Spin-Spun Sisters set up in the garden of St Andrew’s Church, where members Abi Prymaka and Chris Pegler respectively demonstrated the skills of the spinner and the weaver.
They were joined by artist blacksmiths Oliver Boyett and George Nokes-Chapple from Cotesbach, who set up a charcoal fire to demonstrate the practical skills of the blacksmith.
And Leicestershire author Tom Phillips read from his latest book, Leicestershire Folk Tales for children.
An afternoon of music outside John Lees Hall in Regent Place was opened by Andy Smith, who performed acoustic standards and self penned songs.
He was followed by local band Behind the Settee, who presented material from their albums Shaking Violet and Red Handed as well as new material.
The town’s leading amateur orchestra Rugby Rococo Players filled the pews at at St Andrew’s Church, where they performed a selection of classical
favourites, including Fantasia on Sussex Folk Tunes by Vaughn Williams and Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture.
And last year’s Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists DMU Gospel Choir got hands clapping at Rugby Theatre with a set of gospel and soul music standards including My Sweet Lord, Oh Happy Day, Move On Up and a show-stopping arrangement of Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ on Heavens Door, featuring Patricia Cazley and Rugby’s own Emily Wilson.
The Rugby Festival of Culture continues until Sunday July 14. Visit www.therugbytown.co.uk/festivalofculture for more information.
All photos by Patrick Joyce.
