THIS year's Bewdley Festival is in full swing and has delighted audiences at several of sell-out shows.

Following the success of the American Epic weekend, the main festival opened last Friday (October 11) with a vibrant evening of music from folk stars Eliza & Martin Carthy.

Together with their group of friends, which included Ewan Wardop with his square dancing and Sheema Mukherjee playing her magical sitar and long-time collaborators Duotone, they presented Eliza’s latest offering East.”

The band created an evening to raise the spirits of everyone present at the Festival Theatre at Mercure Bewdley Heath Hotel.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Eliza & Martin Carthy. PIC: Colin HillEliza & Martin Carthy. PIC: Colin Hill

Star Wars Puppeteer Brian Herring combined an talk with exclusive video footage of his work on the Saturday afternoon to delight the audience at St George's Hall.

Saturday evening brought a full house to the Festival Theatre, where impressionist Jon Culshaw and comedy writer Bill Dare ensured everybody was laughing.

Sunday afternoon’s classical concert at St Annes Church, welcomed a professional orchestra who delivered a memorable performance.

On the evening, Birmingham poet Benjamin Zephaniah brought his unique brand of entertainment to the festival, making the sell-out audience laugh, but also touching on serious subjects.

Bewdley Baptist Church was packed on Monday afternoon when Clive Wilmer delivered an interesting talk about John Ruskin and William Morris, and their place in Worcestershire.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Jon Culshaw & Bill Dare. PIC: Colin Hill Jon Culshaw & Bill Dare. PIC: Colin Hill

Monday evening brought TV presenter Kate Humble to the Festival Theatre, where she carried out an engaging talk.

All the artists met their audiences at conclusion of their performances, signing books and posing for photographs, in the spirit of the Bewdley Festival.

Events continue throughout the week and details are available via bewdleyfestival.org.uk, where tickets are still available for some shows.