Ampthill Festival 2007

The English School of Falconry and Birds of Prey and Conservation Centre is a family run business with over 50 years experience in Falconry. With their collection of birds growing to almost 300 . The Centre is based locally in the magnificent grounds of Shuttleworth in Old Warden Park. It has been carefully sited to create a woodland setting as near as possible to the birds natural surroundings. They are home to birds from all around the Globe including Falcons, Hawks, Owls, Eagles and Vultures.

Some of the birds on site are part of the World Wide Breeding Programme of rare and endangered species. The School of Falconry will be performing twice today in the Main Arena and will also have a static display on site for a chance to see the birds close up.

Having led the parade around the streets of Ampthill, Biddenham Upper School Steel Band will perform again in the main arena. Conjuring up images of the Caribbean lets hope the weather matches. The band are one of several bands run by the school and they have performed locally on many occasions.

A Festival favourite, the Redbornstoke Morris Men will be performing today with guests from other troupes, having entertained the parade crowds on the Market Square.

Also performing are many local groups: Jazzercise, Salsa Dancers. Ceroc Dancers

A humourous, educational live show starring 9 breeds of sheep including Nobby the Norfolk Horn. Presented by a true New Zealand sheep shearer it includes sheep shearing and the Amazing Dancing Sheep.

A blend of Passion, Power and Skill combine to produce an amazing carving event. Watch as a large log of native wood is transformed into a magnificent animal, a beautiful bird or an abstract carving. Chainsaw art at its best!.

Like a fresh pint of Guinness, extra cold, on a hot summers day The Ramblers are a brilliant way to start the afternoon. Four young lads brought together a year ago by their love of drinking away their wages, general folk/punk music and being lazy. The small punk band are here to tell stories of love, sadness, triumph and good nights out through the medium of energetic and loud music. Suitable for the whole family... even the  dog. For further information on the band and to listen to some of their tracks go to www.myspace.com/theramblers06

Local band The Authentics played last year to an enthusiastic crowd and the response was so good they are back on this years line up. Jamie (lead singer and lead guitar), John Paul (Drums) and Joanna (Backing vocals and Keys) are all siblings who have lived in Ampthill all of their lives and play a diverse mix of music from across the decades.

The Suspects are Jim Oliver (Lead Vocals / Rhythm Guitar), Andy Barraclough (Vocals / Lead Guitar), Stephen Locke (Vocals / Bass) and John Conaghan (Drums). The Suspects are from Luton and have been together for nearly two years. The band describe their music as mainstream indie, and has been compared to the kind of stuff that was coming out of the Britpop era of the 90’s. This has an obvious reflection on the bands influences who range from The Beatles, Oasis, Stereophonics, The Libertines, The Killers and more. With signing to Low Tone Records this year The Suspects debut single ‘Things We Do’ is released in July at local HMV stores and also for download at CD Baby and i-tunes. For further information on the band and to listen to some of their tracks go to www.myspace.com/thesuspects06 or www.thesuspectsmusic.co.uk

Mercy Street is a five-piece rock band with roots and Celtic influences. The band’s sound combines the commercial rock elements of bands like Del Amitri with the big roots rock feel of REM and the Celtic rock sensibilities of Big Country and the Wonder Stuff. Mercy Street slumped gently into life sometime around 1997; guitarist James Abbot, fiddle player Pete Gyles and drummer Paul O’Brien were looking for a new musical outlet. Celtic rock band Life of Riley disbanded when the singer went to live in Ireland leaving the three to find a new singer or create a new band. They auditioned several vocalists before meeting Ade Thomas a quality rock vocalist with a taste for acoustic music. Ade’s voice gave them the idea of combining rock, acoustic and Celtic influences and to complement his style they turned to Grief Society & Jokers bassist Angus Nurse to complete the new band. see www.myspace.com/mercystreetuk

Back by popular demand for the third year New Groove Formation will finish off the day in style. The band formed in early 2004 with Gus, Jim and Lewis (having already played together in previous bands), met up and started jamming with Quinney. Having a mutual respect and desire to play thesame sort of music the band quickly started writing material. Shortly afterwards Didgeman and mc Dutter were enrolled as percussion and rapper respectively. A few more months on a few more tunes and Dave came with horns and Roger joined up and with Sarah a local sax tutor coming in to the fold, the and was complete. Playing music they all love from, dirty funky beats, grooves and breaks to reggae, dub and ska it wasn’t long before a set was rehearsed and they were out gigging. Personnel changed a little over the years. New Bass player Faz, Nicky and Ed on Trumpet and Trombone joined the band in early 2006. For further information on the band and to listen to some of their tracks go to www.myspace.com/newgrooveformation