A Barn Dance and Ceilidh, German Oompah Night, Hanbury’s Fish and Chips Music Festival, the pomp and ceremony of Armed Forces Day and, for 2012, an incredible Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular – that’s what will be on offer on Babbacombe Downs from Thursday 21 June to Sunday 24 June, the final weekend of the 2012 Babbacombe Festival.

The 2012 Festival Marquee is being sponsored by the HSBC in support of the Torbay Holiday Helpers Network which is the chosen charity of David Hanbury and the charity that both of his events will be in aid of. Tickets have now gone on sale for these few days of fun, fantastic entertainment, great food and a wonderful atmosphere. With a fully licensed bar stocked with over 20 real ales and cider no-one should be going thirsty either.

David Hanbury, who is responsible for the ever-popular Fish and Chips on the Downs Music Festival, is particularly excited about the new addition to the events line-up for 2012, the Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular. David says “We’ve never put on an event quite like this before. The evening starts at 6.30pm with Pimm’s on arrival. The tickets, which are £50 each, include a delicious 3-course meal with full waitress service. Entertainment throughout the meal from international singing sensation Tara Mathew is followed by the highlight of the evening, the fabulous Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular Show. This show has received great reviews and has been performed all around the world over the last 9 years.”

He added “I’m genuinely excited about this event. I’m delighted to be able to support the THHN in this way and hope that the evening will not only raise a significant amount of money but also raise awareness of the really valuable work that they do. The THNN has provided over 180 free holidays in the last 2 ½ years.”

 

Martyn Strange, promoter of much of the other activity on Babbacombe Downs over the weekend, says “The 2011 events went really well. This year, we’ve tried to bring together all the elements that people said they enjoyed in 2011 to offer a programme that should have something for everyone. Our Barn Dance and Ceilidh on Thursday 21 June is just £6 per ticket. With a full bar and hot food available it’s a fun, family evening out. The Oompah Night on Friday 22 June is always a popular night and we’re expecting tickets to sell-out again this year. They’re already going fast.”

Martyn added “Each year word spreads further about the great events that we put on here. Last year we developed a website www.babbacombefestival.com so that more people could buy tickets on-line which means that no matter where you live you can get hold of tickets for the events simply and securely. This worked very well for us and tickets for this year’s events are now available from the site.”

As well as the evening events, Babbacombe Downs will see thousands of people pour in during the daytime. Armed Forces Day is on Saturday 23 June with the veterans’ parade, music, stalls and an air show as a fantastic finale.

Sunday 24 June is the final day and the Hanbury’s Fish and Chips on the Downs Music Festival. A great line-up of live entertainment is planned throughout the day. Get your fish and chips from Hanbury’s takeaway from noon and take it along to eat in the HSBC Marquee whilst enjoying the music from bands such as Three Bags Full, Luke and Whose Army and Funkty Dumpty, to name just a few.

The Babbacombe Festival runs from 15 to 24 June and consists of a mix of community events, coupled with loads of great entertainment. For the up to date programme of what’s on when visit www.babbacombe.org . To buy tickets visit www.babbacombefestival.com or telephone 07977 535563.