Shropshire Star

Music stars Carol Decker and Paul Heaton give Shrewsbury's Big Busk their backing

They have toured the world with their music and played gigs as big as Glastonbury – now they are backing a Shropshire festival hoping to attract thousands in its fourth year.

Published

Music stars have thrown their support behind this year's Big Busk festival inspired by a talented musician who was tragically killed in Shrewsbury.

The Big Busk is expected to see thousands flock to the street festival held on Saturday and has even been backed by former frontman of The Beautiful South and the Housemartins Paul Heaton as well as T'Pau's lead singer Carol Decker.

The event will be the fourth of its kind and organisers hope the support of the famous musicians will bring even more visitors to the festival.

The Big Busk first took place on April 6, 2013, on what would have been Ben Bebbington's 44th birthday. Ben, a homeless man sleeping in Shrewsbury, died in hospital the day after being attacked.

The first event included more than 40 musical acts, made up of more than 200 people.

This year's free event will run around the town on Saturday.

During the evening there will be a range of acts playing in Shrewsbury bars and venues.

The Big Busk online:

  • www.thebigbusk.co.uk

  • The Big Busk on Facebook

  • @TheBusk on Twitter

Tim Smith, one of the Big Busk organisers, said: "I am a lifelong fan of Paul Heaton, and to have his support for our event is absolutely incredible.

"He really connects with what we are trying to achieve and I can't thank him enough for his support.

"Carol Decker has supported us on social media in previous years, and it is wonderful that she has done so again.

"She has a huge fan-base, so we are delighted that she is supporting our event back in her home county."

Heaton, now reunited with Beautiful South's Jacqui Abbott as a duet, plugged The Big Busk to his 36,000 followers on Twitter, while Decker retweeted a message of support to her 40,500 followers.

The Big Busk was inspired by a talented musician, poet and artist sleeping rough in Shrewsbury who was tragically killed in an unprovoked attack.

Ben Bebbington was repeatedly kicked and stamped on in a vicious attack in September 2012 and his attackers were jailed for 14 and 16 years.

Heaton, who had hits with songs like Everybody's Talkin' and Rotterdam, tweeted: "Four years ago a homeless musician was kicked to death in Shrewsbury.

"If you're in Shrewsbury this Saturday, get along to the Big Busk, 15 hours of free music to raise money for homeless people in Shrewsbury."

Meanwhile, Decker, who comes from Shropshire and found fame with hits like China In Your Hand and Heart and Soul, retweeted details of the event to her followers.

Paul Heaton's tweets:

The event takes place each year to coincide with the weekend around Ben's Birthday and raises money for Shrewsbury Ark, on Castle Foregate.

The charity supports homeless and vulnerable people in the town and last year raised £6,100 for the cause.

Earlier this year, it was revealed the centre is now helping 11 rough sleepers and has an average of 21 clients a day.

On average, the drop-in centre serves seven breakfasts a day and 13 lunches each day.

This year's festival promises to host a range of artists including Topbananas, Jazz West Midlands, Shrewsbury Morris Dancers, Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir and Goodbye Ohio.

Different acts will be playing around town including along Pride Hill, The Square, Wyle Cop and Mardol.

Meanwhile, throughout the day there will be free workshops for children aged seven to 14 at Central SY1 Palmer's of Shrewsbury.

To book email bigbusk@shrewsburyark.co.uk

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.