MUSIC will come to Shipston again this Friday, with the start of the town's ever popular music festival.

The event will run from Friday June 17 to Saturday July 2; but the music started early for organisers at the recent pre-event Proms Reception in Sheldon’s Wine Cellars, with over 40 of the Shipston Proms sponsors in attendance, along with the Proms volunteers and committee members.

A spokesman said: "Hosts Sheldon's Wines of Shipston-on-Stour are an old and historic wine merchant with a long history dating back to 1842 with original and extensive cellars. Music was provided down there by Lilly Shickle and Jonny Doran with a range of classic singer guitarist songs. The great spread of food was provided by Sharon and Karl Peacock who are Gold Sponsors, and event sponsors, from Shipston Bakery."

The evening was formally opened by Shipston Proms Chair Tim Porter who thanked the Sponsors, without how the Proms couldn’t take place, along with the hard work of the committee.

Then he handed over to Shipston Town Council Mayor Councillor Ronnie Murphy who commented “Thanks to all the hard work of Proms Chair Tim Porter and his team on a marvellous event program. The Proms are a key event in the towns annual events that the Shipston Town Council supports, and we look forward to it continuing for many years to come.”

This year's Shipston Proms, the 18th to be held, will kick off with the launch evening featuring acclaimed Beatbox band Duke, along with support from Brixton Alley and DJ Harry, this Friday, June 17 at Townsend Hall in Shipston.

The Fame Contest to choose extra acts for the last night is on Saturday in the Townsend Hall.

Highlights of the first week will include the Debbie Bond Band, blues guitarist on tour from Alabama, at the Cherington Arms on Monday June 20, concerts by the Shipston Town bands, Music In The Garden at the Gate Inn for Father's Day; Incognito jazz group in Brailes Village Hall, a night of The Carpenters music in St. Edmund's Church, a Folk Music Night at the Black Horse, the Klee Quartet, and a Ceilidh, finishing off with a Pubs And Cafés Music Trail on Saturday June 25.

The festival continues with a Tea Dance, The Sambassadors Of Groove, American singer-songwriter Andrew Duhon from New Orleans, a Young Musicians' Concert, Songs From The Shows, and much more culminating in a big street party in Shipston square on Saturday July 2, featuring local groups Kinky Farnham and Wired who both play songs that people will know and will dance to.

Chairman Tim Porter says: 'Once again we have a terrific variety of music on offer, and hope that people will find their favourites, but also explore areas they are less familiar with, and may find they like."

Tickets at www.shipstonproms.org or telephone 01608 685332.