Big Session set to get Burgess Hill Fairtrade Festival started

This has all the ingredients for a good party with local ales, ciders, Fairtrade wine, Sussex- sourced food and three hours of award-winning folk and acoustic music.

“We are fortunate to have so many Sussex producers of food and drink,” said festival organiser Robert Eggleston.

“And it’s great to be able to celebrate all we do so well locally with our wider commitment to Fairtrade in the world.”

“The Big Session is, to put it simply, celebration,” Robert continued.

“We have beers from Bedlam Brewery in Albourne and Dark Star Brewery in Partridge Green.

“Catering is being provided by Spade & Spoon with a mouth watering festival menu, sourced and cooked locally.

“There’s a range of Fairtrade wines from Chile, Argentina and South Africa to tempt the palate, plus some fresh vegetable juices.

“We’ll be decorating the Martlets Hall with two hundred metres of colourful bunting made in Sussex from recycled materials.

“Then, to top it all, we have four bands crammed with highly talented musicians playing award-winning music.

“Musically, the evening starts with Burgess Hill trio The Red Star Thistles playing a lively selection of tunes followed by Sussex duo Short Cover with a medley of acoustic covers.

“After a short break it is The Askew Sisters, winners of the Best Traditional Album in the Spiral Earth Awards 2015. The Askew Sisters are fast becoming one of the most popular and respected duos on the English folk scene and their latest album was critically acclaimed in the music and national press.”

Robert continued: “Closing the show are the Bonfire Radicals. The band has a fresh approach to traditional tunes and weaves together raucous woodwind, delicate vocals, and traditional Scottish fiddle with hard hitting bass, electric guitar and drums.

“Fancy a good night out on Friday, April 22?

“Well, head down to the Martlets Hall, Burgess Hill, for the start of the week-long Fairtrade Festival.”

The festival ends on Saturday, April 30, with a final show at Martlets Hall, which features the London Community Gospel Choir.

Opening this show will be Burgess Hill singer-songwriters and international worship leaders Julie Cameron-Hall and Nigel Cameron.

The London Community Gospel Choir have played all the major venues and have been the backing choir to the likes of Madonna, Kylie, Sting, Paul McCartney, Brian May, Luther Vandross, Tina Turner and George Michael. They are coming to Burgess Hill as an eight-piece choir with a five-piece band.

Tickets for The Big Session and all other Festival events are available from the website www.burgesshillfairtradefestival.com.

You can also call 01444 242888 to book any events being held at the Martlets Hall.

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