The sun shone, the crowds came out, and a great atmosphere embraced the 10th festival.

Over 500 people enjoyed 32 draught beers, 8 ciders (there should have been more but a courier let us down), wines from France and South Africa, great food from ‘Fat Jack’s’ and a curious range of silent films not to mention excellent live music.

Voters liked their strong ales! Votes for the ales resulted in:
1st : Green Jack Brewery ‘Baltic Trader’ 10.5%
2nd : Green Jack Brewery ‘Ripper’ 8.5%
3rd : Loch Lomond ‘Silkie Stout’ 5%

And for the ciders:#
1st : SeaCider Mango 4%
2nd : SeaCider White Peach 4.0%
3rd : Chucklehead 7%

The winner of a pair of tickets for next year’s festival (24-26 September) drawn at random from voting slips is Caroline Young. Congratulations!

So now we move on to a busy programme of live music starting this Saturday October
3rd with Tom Robinson & Adam Phillips in The Pallant Suite, Havant.  Celebrating 50 years of Tom’s performing  and recording career it’s going to be a tight squeeze to get all your favourite songs in – but they’ll make sure ‘2-4-6-8 Motorway,’ ‘Glad to be Gay’ and ‘War Baby’ will be among them. Last few tickets from usual outlets and online.

In October we also celebrate Black History Month with
Friday 9th Musa Mboob & Xam Xam in The Nest at Chichester Festival Theatre
Saturday 31st with Habib Koite (and band), and Sura Susso (kora) in The Old Malthouse, Chidham
Saturday 24th sees the new album launch of the wonderful Chilean-UK band Quimantu in The Old Malthouse – you’ll remember they were the core musicians for last year’s Surtierra Project ?
And Tuesday 27th brings Fairport Convention 4-Piece Autumn Tour (Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg, Ric Sanders, Chris Leslie) to a new venue for us - Barton Hall in Horndean. Details here.

November is a manic month of activity which we’ll leave for another time. However:Steeleye Span stalwarts Maddy Prior and Peter Knight have a new February date with us in St. James Church on Friday 19 February and over 50 tickets have already gone.

As always we thank you sincerely for your support – always appreciated, never underestimated.

Tickets: available from: Bookends (Emsworth) Harbour Records (Emsworth) Westbourne Caf and wegottickets.com (10% commission applies) We are a totally voluntary organisation and receive no funds other than the income we generate from bar, and ticket sales.

WmsFest  30^th September 2026