Shrewsbury's Big Busk 2019: Music galore in memory of Ben
On Saturday the streets of Shrewsbury will come alive with the sound of music as hugely popular festival The Big Busk returns after a year away.
The event, will see artists from every music genre – as well as dancers and storytellers – perform all around Shrewsbury town centre from 10am.
Almost 150 acts have signed up for this year’s event.
When the music ends in the town centre, The Big Busk will move to Frankwell, where musicians will perform in five venues.
The 2019 Busk will take place on what would have been the 50th birthday of the man in whose memory the event is held.
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The Busk was first held in 2013 in memory of talented musician and artist Ben Bebbington, who died after an unprovoked attack by two men in September 2012.The event raises money for, and awareness of, Shrewsbury Ark, a centre for vulnerable and homeless people in Shrewsbury which meant a lot to Ben.
In 2017 the Busk raised more than £8,500 for the Ark, but organisers took a break this year to manage some of the challenges which arise from the event getting bigger each year. The small core organising team also had many personal milestones, including a wedding, new babies, house moves and new jobs.
Karen Higgins, Ben’s sister and one of the founders of The Big Busk, said: “We said when we announced in 2017 that we were taking a break that it would only be for one year and we are very excited to be bringing the Big Busk back to Shrewsbury in 2019.
“It is especially poignant that the event should fall on the very day that Ben would have turned 50 and we will making sure that there is a real party atmosphere that Ben would have been very proud of.
“Everybody who makes this wonderful day possible gifts their time and talent – from the musicians to the volunteers in the lead up and on the day – to ensure all proceeds go to the Ark and we can’t thank them enough.”
For more information visit the-bigbusk.co.uk
