THE sun shone on the Malpas Arts and Literature Festival as organisers celebrated their most successful event yet.
Tickets were sold out across the board last weekend as hundreds of people vied to get up close and personal with a star-studded line-up that included iconic author Fay Weldon, Hollyoaks creator Phil Redmond and TV gardener Monty Don speaking about their lives and careers.
The Gardeners World presenter attracted an audience of more than 400, with some even hanging from the rafters to catch a glimpse of him.
Coronation Street actor William Roache was also due to appear ‘In Conversation’ at the event, but cancelled his scheduled visit to Malpas last month after he was charged with rape offences dating back to the 1960s.
Elsewhere at the three-day-festival, music lovers weren’t left disappointed thanks to performances from Junction 3, The Drivetones and The Saga Louts.
The Manchester Gospel Choir also proved popular, as did The Wrexham Symphony Orchestra, who enjoyed their first performance outside of Wrexham this century.
Pianist Rose Cholmondeley provided a more classical edge to the festivities, ensuring there was something to suit everyone’s musical tastes at Malfest 2013.
Actress and puppeteer Ruth Rogers who played Joey the horse in the hit West End show War Horse, entertained audiences with her secrets of the stage and spoke of how the horses are made so life-like.
And art lovers were treated to the visual delights of sculptor Ben Panting and artists James Fletcher-Watson, Minter-Kemp and Lucia Fraser.
Fiona Midwood, who helped organise Malfest, said: “This festival was the most exciting yet.
“We are more than humbled by the support we have received from the local community and it just goes to show there is a real thirst for the arts in the region.
“We have been delighted by the turn out this year and we promise to be back with an even bigger bang next year.”
