THE future of a popular music festival in the Cotswolds has been secured thanks to a fund-raising event.

The Shipston Proms had hosted two fundraising events in a bid to help cover the cost of its two-week summer event, which totals over £30,000.

Cotswold Journal: Abi Rowberry singing. Abi Rowberry singing. (Image: Chris Roberts/WiderView Visual Media)The two-week festival is organised by a small group of volunteers whose sole aim is to bring music into Shipston.

This is the first fundraising event the group has organised for itself.

Cotswold Journal: The Brailes Singers in St Edmunds.The Brailes Singers in St Edmunds. (Image: Chris Roberts/WiderView Visual Media)The Shipston Proms chair, Charlotte Haines, said: “The Shipston Proms cost over £30,000 to put on and to ensure its future is secured, we had decided to put on these fundraising events.

"They have been very well received and have reminded people of the range of music that will be available during the two-week Proms, which will take place in June 2024.”

The first fundraising event was Mrs Porter’s Christmas Chamberpot Pourri, hosted by St. Edmunds Church in Shipston-on-Stour on Saturday (December 2).

Cotswold Journal: Cantumus group singing with the audience.Cantumus group singing with the audience. (Image: Chris Roberts/WiderView Visual Media)Helen and Tim Porter had put on a program of musical excellence at the first event, which PRJ Flooring Services sponsored.

The event was pay on the door, included drinks on offer and the obligatory raffle, and brought out a large crowd of Shipston (and the outlying villages) interested musical visitors.

Amongst one of the youngest performers of the night was 15-year-old Henry Clarke, who sang  Joni Mitchell's The River.

Cotswold Journal: Anna Patalong and Ben Nelson.Anna Patalong and Ben Nelson. (Image: Chris Roberts/WiderView Visual Media)The second event, called' Cantamus, ' took place in the Townsend Hall in Shipston-on-Stour on Sunday (December 1).

It featured the local Shipston group Cantamus singing classic Christmas carols such as I Saw Three Ships, Charles Ives Carol, The Infant King and The Coventry Carol.

Also appearing was Anne Hume with some Christmas readings, and the audience sang along to well-known carols.

The 2024 Shipston Proms will take place between June 21 and July 6 in Shipston-on-Stour and surrounding villages.