REVIEW: The Brit Fest Cheshire
Last Weekend, North West’s most anticipated new summer festival opened its gates. The Brit Fest took place at the impressive, regal Ashley Hall Show ground in Altrincham from Fri 5 July - Sun 7 July 2024. The Brit Fest was organised by Olivier nominated siblings Anthony & Edward Prophet.
This review is solely based on Saturday. I regrettably had to leave unexpectedly on Sunday due to a personal emergency. Saturday was a day of atrocious British weather and biting winds, my choice of attire was not appropriate for the inclement weather conditions. It’s such a travesty that UK events are at the mercy of the shocking UK climate. Things really are so much more enjoyable when the sun shines and the weather is sweet!
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| The Main Stage |
The Brit Fest made it's debut in Cheshire, taking place at the sprawling Ashley show ground of a colossal 100 acres! While its vastness promised a grand experience, it felt disproportionately large for the number of attendees, leading to a slightly muted atmosphere across the whole site at times.
Unfortunately, the abysmal weather was a low in my book and dampened my spirits. I felt so disappointed for the organisers and vendors who had invested a lot of time and money into delivering the festival.That said, it was a fantastic experience to enjoy the musical sets and enjoy the ambience of a local festival.
Food and drinks were averagely priced and there was a great selection of options to choose from. However, trader stalls were quite spaced apart, lacking optimal logistical planning, which made exploring them slightly cumbersome.
On the subject of logistics, my partner and I attempted to explore the dj sets but it was in a separate location away from the main stage, which was accessible by a long walk via a field. We regrettably did not see what was on offer in view of the weather and the distance that we had to travel to get there. We chose to go over to the main stage instead. It's a shame really, as it would have been great to explore had the weather been kinder.
On the musical front, Paul Young's performance was sadly disappointing, with his vocals often inaudible, detracting from the experience. Issues from the sound desk unfortunately led to an underwhelming set. Kim Wilde looked fantastic and had great stage presence, with the audience loving her and giving her the attention she deserved, sadly her music isn't to my taste, but I still appreciated her ability.
In contrast, Deniece Pearson (former 5 Star) delivered a truly exceptional performance, showcasing her incredible talent. The level of audience participation was high and the sun even came out to play.
Nik Kershaw stood out as the consummate professional, delivering a fantastic show that captivated the audience. There was an incredible buzz and energy in the audience when he sang his classic "I won't let the sun go down on me." by which point, the sun truly was shining on the Ashley show ground and spirits of the festival goers were high.
The Real Thing also shone, providing an outstanding performance that was a highlight of the festival. Timmy Mallett appeared on the main stage and showcased his bright persona much to the delight of the audience. It was a nostalgic blast from the past for sure.
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| Deniece Pearson looking and sounding exceptional |
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| Nik Kershaw- singing "I won't let the sun go down on me" |
Eddie the Eagle was a delightful presence, proving to be a humble and amiable gentleman with an inspirational backstory that resonated with many. The drinks were average-priced for a festival, and the staff were notably helpful. The bar staff, in particular, were engaging and friendly, enhancing the overall experience. Additionally, the free bus service was a thoughtful touch that was greatly appreciated.
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| We Met Eddie The Eagle. What a humble, Inspirational man. |
The festival was hosted and compered by the delightful Jenny Powell who wowed the audience with her exuberant presenting style and high sprits. She looked phenomenal in her outfits and endeared the crowds with her engaging skill as a compere. She was joined by co-host Mike Toolan who also engaged the audience and hyped them up with his charismatic delivery.
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| Saturday's lineup |
I made a conscious effort to purchase from some of the Trade stalls and sampled some of the most delicious wares from Ripe Cheese. Jack and James were so professional and their level of customer service was outstanding. They offered so many samples to me and my partner and we bought some delicious Camembert and Brie. Give them a follow on their social media channels. You won't be disappointed.
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| Jack & James from Ripe Cheese |
Ian from Yummy Yank The drunken pig in the mud brownies were to die for. He gave us an insight into the origins of his business which he runs with his wife who was unfortunately unable to attend due to ill health.
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| We had a drink or two with our friend Faz |
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