SHIPSTON Proms made a triumphant return as the event celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Thousands flocked to the Cotswold town to bask in a wide variety of music, from classical to heavy metal.
Organiser Susan Perry couldn’t be prouder of how things went, taking particular joy in seeing the event bring people together.
She said: “We had a lot of extra people in Shipston, especially during the final night, with roughly over 1,000 people packing out the High Street.
“Many were former residents of Shipston who wanted to come back for our legendary final night.”
Mrs Perry added: “What is heartening is how, through the Proms, we have come across so many talented young people eager to play in front of crowds and get their music out there.
“Some have written music from their bedrooms and then have had the courage to come out and play to a Shipston audience.
"We had a young boy of 11 write and play a piano composition which is very impressive.”
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Shipston Proms got underway on Saturday (June 17) with a Ska-themed launch party featuring Hope & Glory, supported by Papa Nui.
Along the way there was an Ibiza-on Stour dance night, an opera evening, a Taiko drumming workshop, pub and café trails, open mic nights, and much more.
The final night, as ever, was held in the Town Square and was free to attend.
Kicking off the showpiece event were the winners of the Shipston Introducing competition, Stratford singer Honor Isabella Gerard-Pickering and a band from Henley-in-Arden made up of Amber Liadan, Phil Moffet, and Julcarvs Carvero.
Moreton-based band The DropOuts also took to the stage, along with The Weekend Warriors from Oxford, before King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys’ headline performance to close the Proms.
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The two-week-long event cost nearly £30,000 to put on and organisers are hopeful to see it return again in 2024.
Mrs Perry said: “This year people were very generous in their donations and we ran out of raffle tickets in the first week.
“People really do appreciate that we have to spend a lot of money putting this on and want to see it continue year after year.”
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