A NUMBER of young people got in on the act as Devizes Arts Festival kicked off for a fortnight of eclectic entertainment that has already taken embraced music, current affairs and comedy.

Will Foulstone, who found fame when he played piano with The Script at the O2, aged just 12, was back at the keyboard again for the festival’s opening night party.

On Saturday when celebrated organist Francesca Massey took centre stage at St John’s Church performing pieces by Pott, JS Bach, Nicolas de Grigny and Maurice Duruflé she was joined by young St John’s organist Anna Hallett.

Actor turned children’s author Clive Mantle was in Devizes Town Hall on Saturday afternoon to talk about his book On Top Of The World and to do a book signing.

Among those keen to meet him were friends Fay, Tom, and Eve who enjoyed his readings from the story about a time travelling boy.

But the headline act of the first weekend who was the hot ticket in town was veteran TV journalist John Simpson.

He was welcomed to town by festival chairman Margaret Bryant on Friday and went on to enthral the Corn Echange audience with tales from his working life that took him to many of the world’s danger spots as he reported conflicts.

For those who wanted to go up tempo Ska band Barbdwire from Coventry who took to the Corn Exchange stage on Saturday evening and did not disappoint.