THE annual gathering of musicians associated with the Trowbridge Village Pump folk movement took place at The Arc theatre in Trowbridge on Saturday.

Musicians first began coming together in the outhouse behind the Lamb pub in Trowbridge 35 years ago and the successful annual summer festival was born as a result.

This winter festival held at the town’s theatre is a charity gig which raises money for the Dorothy House Hospice in Winsley, when all the musicians give their time free of charge.

Saturday’s gig was expertly compered by John Alderslade, who put the full house immediately at ease with his expert wit and familiar humour.

He introduced a stream of quality folk and other acts, all playing acoustically and all creating a unique and particular kind of atmosphere for the audience to enjoy.

There was gentle, searching whimsy and good-hearted folk with interspersed comedy. We were also treated to a few comedy poems, a four-piece rhythm band and a lone female rocker in sparkly shoes.

They all had one thing in common: they were class acts who had come to share their music for free to help a local charity that does so much for local people, including the late Alan Briars, one of the group who first started Trowbridge Village Pump all those years ago.

The tickets sold out quickly when they went on sale months ago because people know that Trowbridge Village Pump at The Arc is an event unlike many others, offering the best of musical talent from around the area joined by a common bond of the love of acoustic music and the desire to invite others to enjoy it too. Don’t miss next year.