THE 26th Bewdley Festival has been hailed a success by organisers with just the rock and roll party night to go.

The second week saw history come to life on Tudor Tuesday and talented musicians, actors and comedians take to the stage.

Festival spokesman Dave Collins said: “It never seeks to amaze me how quickly such an event-packed week passes. No sooner are audiences leaving one venue, than they are pouring into the next.

“An eclectic mix of twenty events, six of which sold out within days of festival’s launch back in July, as has next week’s party night. Culture, comedy, music, drama, history, food and art all featured and the festival’s two exhibitions at the museum and at the library continue into November.

“We are all very pleased with the success of this the 26th Bewdley Festival. Thanks go to all who attended and particularly to all the festival volunteers who made it happen.

“This year’s Eat Bewdley Raffle raised a record £2,948 towards funding future festivals, thanks to the generosity of the many local businesses that provided no less than 70 prizes.”

Events in the second week of the festival ran smoothly apart from Simon Hoggart, political sketch writer of the Guardian, who was unable to appear before a sell-out audience, due to poor health.

Quentin Letts, Simon’s equivalent from the Daily Mail, stood in at short notice and romped through a catalogue of hilarious stories of the characters and goings-on at Westminster.

The sold-out party night featuring The Houndogs and Rockabellas is taking place on Saturday (oct 26) at the Tree Tops pavillion.