More than a dozen acts brought a great mix of entertainment at Brightlingsea WinterFests’s Acoustic Music Sessions by the Sea.

The event took place at Brightlingsea’s newest venue, The Waterfront at Brightlingsea Marina, as part of WinterFest’s programme of music, arts and spoken word.

Dave Griffiths, co-founder of Brightlingsea WinterFest, organised the sessions at The Waterfront, along with musician and WinterFest volunteer Jevon Ellis.

Dave said: “We were delighted to offer great entertainment from a collection of local musicians, all from within a 10-mile radius. The response was fantastic and we had an enthusiastic audience throughout the afternoon and into the evening. The combination of wonderful music, coffee, wine and fabulous food at a lovey location made it a superb attraction.”

He added: “It was our second music event for WinterFest, with several more to come, ranging from a Rum and Reggae night through to an online livestreamed concert by Brightlingsea-based blues stars, When Rivers Meet.”

Among those on the bill at The Waterfront were The Jentones – Jennie Suzanne Venus and Tony Woodley – a popular Clacton duo, who are both singer songwriters and multi-instrumentalists. Brightlingsea’s much-loved “singing cabbie” Neil Carlyle also made an appearance. Rounding off the event and topping the bill was Sarah Louise, a contemporary country singer, backed by guitarist Steve Miller. Sarah Louise has recently released her third originals album, called Sunflower.

As well as a range of music events, WinterFest’s forthcoming attractions include a walking football demonstration at Brightlingsea Regent FC ground, an accredited mental wellbeing training session and an afternoon with poets Martin Newell and Leon Helsby.

The annual festival of music, arts and spoken word was launched in 2015. Since then WinterFest has gone from strength to strength. It is normally held throughout February, but this year, due to the uncertainties surrounding Covid, it has been moved on a month, to run throughout March.

WinterFest aims to lift spirits and bring people together at a difficult time. Most of the festival’s events are free and donations help the local community through WinterFest’s Wellbeing Fund. The festival also supports the mental health charity Mid and North East Essex Mind. This year it has been decided, due to exceptional circumstances, that WinterFest will also make a donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee, to help people in Ukraine.

For more informations and events, see the Brightlingsea WinterFest website.