BEWDLEY Festival begins its 31st consecutive year today (Friday, October 12) and the Festival Theatre at the Mercure Bewdley Heath Hotel will resound to a performance from Roland Gift and his six piece band.

A spokesman said: “Roland Gift rose to fame as the charismatic frontman for The Fine Young Cannibals and is one of modern music’s true torchbearers.

“His distinguished career has expanded in recent years to include critically-lauded film acting and musical score work. A great voice never goes out of style, and Roland’s trademark vocal prowess is both timeless and strikingly ahead of his time.

“Opening this Friday evening, we present the acclaimed talent of Black Country wordsmith Liz Berry. Backed at times by the beautiful voice of Mish Maybe, and assisted by some well-known local musicians, this astonishing Black Country poetry princess will enchant and entertain.

“Saturday, October 13, brings a Festival favourite to the stage in the afternoon at Bewdley Baptist Church, when Max Keen will help us decide in his own inimitable style whether Edward I was either A Great or a Terrible King. Whichever is decided, it is certain to be a very entertaining afternoon.”

Sunday October 14 provides a classical afternoon show that brings Opera in the Afternoon to St Anne’s Church.

The spokesman said: “Local and national singers, including The Opera Studio - Elgar School of Music, treat us to renditions of many of our best loved pieces.

“And In the evening, we welcome one of the best known voices at the BBC – broadcaster Jeremy Vine. Twice voted Speech’ Broadcaster of the Year’ his daily programme on Radio 2 is now the most listened-to radio current affairs programme in the UK. “

The afternoon of Monday October 15 brings cartoonist Barry Venning to town.

The spokesman said: “Modern art is often considered difficult, but it is much less so when seen through the eyes of cartoonists over the years. The cartoonists could be funny, cruel and at times extremely perceptive. This afternoon will provide an absorbing, illuminating and, above all, funny, revealing and sidelong view of 150 years of modern art all under the banner of A Child of Six Could Do It.”

Monday evening brings to Bewdley former Home Secretary Alan Johnson.

The spokesman said: “Alan is definitely one of our most popular and respected MPs and as well as being an award-winning author and broadcaster, is a lifelong fan of Queens Park Rangers. As Members of Parliament go, he also has a surprisingly good taste in and obscure knowledge of music.”

Tuesday October 16 brings an evening presentation featuring Simon Armitage, who will be relating “Journeys”.

The spokesman added: “Simon Armitage is an award-winning poet who also writes extensively for television and radio. For this event, he will read prose from his entertaining best-seller, ‘Walking Home’, about trying his luck as a modern-day troubadour along the Pennine Way.”

Tickets are available for all events from bewdleyfestival.org.uk