Pop legends have lent their backing to Shrewsbury’s free music festival The Big Busk, which takes place this weekend.
The event, now in its fourth year, has been supported by former frontman of the Housemartins and The Beautiful South Paul Heaton, and T’Pau’s lead singer Carol Decker.
Heaton, now a solo artist, plugged The Big Busk, which will take place on 2 April, to his 36,000 followers on Twitter, while Decker Retweeted a message of support to her 40,500 followers.
Heaton, who had hits with songs like Everybody’s Talkin’ and Rotterdam, told his fans: “4 years ago a homeless musician was kicked to death in Shrewsbury. If you’re in Shrewsbury this Saturday, get along to the Big Busk.”
He added: “15 hours of free music to raise money for homeless people in Shrewsbury,” adding a link to The Big Busk’s website at www.thebigbusk.co.uk
Meanwhile, Decker, who hails from Shropshire and found fame with hits like China In Your Hand and Heart and Soul, Retweeted a message featuring details of the event to her followers.
The Big Busk is held in Shrewsbury Town Centre every year in memory of talented musician, poet and artist Ben Bebbington, who was killed in 2012 in an unprovoked attack. It takes place on the weekend around Ben’s birthday. Last year’s Big Busk raised an incredible £6,100 for Shrewsbury Ark, a drop in centre for homeless and vulnerable people in the town.
Tim Smith, one of the Big Busk organisers, said: “I am a lifelong fan of Paul Heaton, and to have his support for our event is absolutely incredible. He really connects with what we are trying to achieve and I can’t thank him enough for his support.
“Carol Decker has supported us on social media in previous years, and it is wonderful that she has done so again. She has a huge fan-base, so we are delighted that she is supporting our event back in her home county.”
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