The 16th annual Wymondham Music Festival Festival Fortnight, June 25 to July 10, celebrates professional Norfolk musicians, combined with a selection of national artists and showcases local talent in this historic Norfolk market town.

Highlights include concerts at the 12th century Wymondham Abbey featuring Mercury Prize finalist Kit Downes Trio (June 30), the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet (June 25) and Madeleine Mitchell (violin) and Andrew Ball (piano) (June 29). The newly refurbished Central Hall hosts The SweetBeats (July 2) Norfolk’s Lee Vasey Band (July 6), the Zimbabwean rhythms of the Anna Mudeka Band (July 8) and the Matt Wates Jazz Sextet (9 July). Wymondham Baptist Church hosts a folk showcase with Pennyless and Tallis (July 6).

There is also a good selection of open air and family events – many free – workshops and a special music lecture.

Tickets from The Book Fountain, Wharton’s Court, off Market Street, Wymondham or the Festival Office tel. 01953 601939, [email protected], www.wymfestival.org.uk.

Programme details follow:

Aquarelle Guitar Quartet, Saturday, June 25 at 7.30pm. £12 (under 18 £2) in advance, extra £2 on the door.

Violin Songs – Madeleine Mitchell (violin) and Andrew Ball (piano), Wednesday, June 29 at 7.30pm. £10 (under 18 £2) in advance, extra £2 on the door.

Kit Downes Trio, Thursday, June 30 at 7.30pm. £8 (under 18 £2) in advance, extra £2 on the door.

Wymondham Young Musicians’ Concert, Monday, July 4 at 7pm. £4 on the door.

All at 1.10pm, free admission: Sohyun Park, piano, Friday, July 1, Broadside Revival, male quartet singing a cappella, Monday, July 4, The Chiron String Quartet, Tuesday, July 5, Tali Dolce Musica, flute, voice, chamber organ and piano, Wednesday, July 6, Magical Moments for You, popular song, opera and oratorio, Thursday, July 7, Piano Duo, Friday, July 8.

The SweetBeats, Saturday, July 2 at 8pm. £8 (under 18 £2) in advance, extra £2 on the door.

Lee Vasey Band Wednesday, July 6 at 8pm. £8 (under 18 £2) in advance, £2 extra on the door.

Anna Mudeka Band Friday, July 8 at 8pm. £8 (under 18 £2) in advance, £2 extra on the door.

Matt Wates Jazz Sextet, Saturday, July 9 at 8pm. £8 (under 18 £2) in advance, £2 extra on the door.

Pennyless and Tallis at Wymondham Baptist Church, Friday, July 1 at 8pm. £6 (under 18 £2) in advance, extra £2 on the door.

Wymondham High School Jazz Band and the Jazz Band of the Gymnasium, Waldstrasse, Hattingen, Market Place, Saturday, June 25, 10am-12noon. Free event.

Tastes of Wymondham, Central Hall, Saturday, June 25, 11am-3pm. Free event.

Midsummer Jazz Picnic at Becketswell featuring the Dixie Mix Jazz Band Monday, June 27, 6pm to 9pm. Free event.

Smokehouse Blues Band, Market Place, Saturday, July 2, 10am-12noon. Free event.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic King’s Head Meadow with live music and storytelling, Sunday, July 3, 11am-1pm. Free event.

Chameleon Band, music from the swing era, Market Place, Thursday, July 7, 5pm-7pm. Free event.

Johnny Jump Band, ‘punk skiffle’, Market Place, Saturday July 9, 10am-12noon. Free Event.

Garlic Theatre presents Fiddlesticks, Wymondham Baptist Church, Sunday, July 10 at 3pm. £6 (under 18 £5) includes afternoon tea (in advance), £2 extra on door.

Guitar Workshop with Aquarelle Guitar Quartet, Abbey Hall, Saturday, June 25 11am-1pm. £15 (under 18 £5).

Does Klezmer Swing? – music lecture at Wymondham Baptist Church with George Hyde, Andy Kirkham (guitar) and Jonathan Lambert (clarinet), Tuesday, June 28 at 8pm. Free event.

Community Music East, band skills workshop, Saturday, July 2 – tel. 01953 601939 for details.

Guided walk with Blue Badge Guide, Judy Hawkins, meet in the Abbey churchyard Sunday, July 3 at 11.50am. Free event.

Voice Workshop with Jon Baker, Wymondham Baptist Church, Saturday, July 9, 11am-1pm. £10 (under-18 £5) in advance, £2 extra on the door.

Wymondham Music Festival is supported by Wymondham Town Council, South Norfolk Council and Norfolk County Council. For more information about Wymondham contact the Tourist Information Centre tel. 01953 604721.

John Wood, Chair, Wymondham Music Festival said: “Our Festival provides a wide range of music experiences, which promote fine Norfolk musicians, along with our many local music societies and musicians. We also showcase our historic market town and look forward to welcoming music fans of all ages and tastes to this beautiful part of Norfolk.”

Wymondham Music Festival (reg. charity no. 1081375) is run by a committee of volunteers who give their time to organise and administer the programme, and is supported by grants, advertising, sponsorship and the generosity of its patrons. The Festival began in 1996 as a small series of concerts and was called Wymondham Music Week. It has expanded to become the musically diverse festival that it is today, promoting the performance and appreciation of music, as well as offering music education for local people. The Festival committee links up with many other local music organisations to promote events throughout the summer months.