Wednesday 30th March 2011

The inaugural Spirefest day long rock festival and guitar show due to be held at the Winding Wheel is drawing ever closer and organiser Brian Bannister has been busy putting the final touches to what promises to be a great event, and one unique to this area.

"We are absolutely overwhelmed by peoples generosity and encouragement for what we are trying to do", Brian told us, "We have already had to start a reserve list for 2012 for the bands that want to join in with this Cancer Research UK fundraising event, as there are simply no performance slots available in the already tight schedule for this year".



There are 15 confirmed exhibitors in the afternoon offering all types of music based products and services from electric guitars, amplifiers, acoustic guitars, accessories, musical memorabilia and even services such as local tuition and band promotion.

There's no doubt that the day will be a huge draw for guitar and rock lovers everywhere but there is, of course, the added bonus of 4 great bands performing and helping a worthwhile charity too.

In-between the afternoon acts there will also be some impressive new product presentations including booster pedals by Twin Stomp and a new self tuning guitar called the Super-Matic by Fret-King Guitars, any guitar enthusiast that has not seen these items first hand really need to take a look!

There has been a huge selection of raffle and auction prizes donated, and now includes 5 guitars, a hotel weekend break for 2 people, meal for 2 at Poppy's of Chesterfield, 1 months health club membership, an amplifier, a snare drum, a guitarists starter pack, 4 different magazine subscriptions and all sorts of signed memorabilia from some of the classic rock bands such as Queen, Greg Lake (of ELP), Uriah Heep, Asia, Martin Turners Wishbone Ash, Focus and the events very own Chantel McGregor who will be headlining in the evening.


Chantel McGregor outside the Crooked Spire. Picture courtesy of Brian Bannister

The hottest news of all is that Chantel McGregor (pictured above) has literally just finished recording her debut CD, hopefully being pressed as we speak and will almost certainly be available at Spirefest. Requests have been pouring in from around the world for the CD and signed copies will be available on the day.

Anyone planning to attend the concert by Chantel is being warned that tickets for the performances are selling fast.

The cost for entry is only £15 for all day from lunchtime until 11pm, which has got to be good value for any music lover and the fact that all proceeds go to Cancer Research UK should make it even more tempting.

Further details about the guitar show, the bands and the auction can be found by visiting the event website at www.spirefest.co.uk, and organisers are asking that people please come along and make this inaugural event the success it deserves to be.

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