More than 600 music lovers have blown away some of their winter blues at the 12th Bradford Roots Festival.

The two-day festival at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon was the first post-Covid two-day event it has held since January 2020.

The festival featured 55 acts on four stages and attracted more than 600 people over the two days on Saturday and Sunday, January 20 and 21.

Organiser, James Slater, chief executive of Wiltshire Music Centre, said the festival had been a great success and featured acts from across the local area and beyond.

“We are delighted with the weekend. It was a celebration of community music-making at its best and It has blown away the winter blues.

“This is the first time that we have held a two-day event since Covid and we had 55 acts spread over the weekend.”

Wiltshire Times: The indie rock band Lily Petals play on the Wild and Woolley stage during an afternoon session of the Bradford Roots Music Festival. Photo: Trevor Porter 70522-6The indie rock band Lily Petals play on the Wild and Woolley stage during an afternoon session of the Bradford Roots Music Festival. Photo: Trevor Porter 70522-6 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Mr Slater paid tribute to Dee Way and Andrew Matthews, who put together the festival programme, and the 30-plus volunteers who helped out over the weekend.

“It is a shining reflection of the hard work and commitment of the team, volunteers and artists, who have worked so hard to pull this event together and without whom it would not be possible.”

The festival featured everything from Indie, rock and grunge, to acoustic folk, jazz, soul, rock and cover bands, as well as local singer-songwriters, and spoken word.

Wiltshire Times: Phil Cooper opens the afternoon session of the 12th Bradford Roots Music Festival at the Wiltshire Music Centre. Photo: Trevor Porter 70522-3Phil Cooper opens the afternoon session of the 12th Bradford Roots Music Festival at the Wiltshire Music Centre. Photo: Trevor Porter 70522-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Workshops and activities included Scottish country dancing, Gong Bath in the Creative Space with Katy Smith, and poetry from Dawn Gorman who led a Words and Ears session with eight poets.

Ms Gorman said: "It was just amazing. It was just so fantastic to see the Wiltshire Music Centre using not just one room but the whole building.

"It was the first time that I have held my Words and Ears poetry event since February 2020. The event has been running for 27 years on and off in Bradford on Avon."

Holt Morris group led a wassail parade by young people around the music venue in Ashley Road on Saturday to welcome the new year and frighten away evil spirits.

Wiltshire Times: On main stage the Graham Dent Jazz Trio. Photo: Trevor Porter 70522-5On main stage the Graham Dent Jazz Trio. Photo: Trevor Porter 70522-5 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Food and drink was available from local suppliers including Greek food from Meraki Van,l the Oak Oven Pizza, Honey’s Cider and an all-day bar set up by local-based Kettlesmith Brewery.

All proceeds from the festival will go to the Zone Club, the Wiltshire Music Centre and the Parkinson’s UK charity.