CALSTOCK was buzzing with activity over the weekend, as musicians and visitors from far and wide filled the village for the third annual 'Jazz and Blues Festival'.

Organised by a small, dedicated team of jazz enthusiasts, this year's festival was deemed a 'huge hit', both with locals who were amazed to find international artists such as Antonio Forcione, Ian Shaw and Claire Martin on their doorsteps, and to audiences travelling from all over the country in pursuit of their idols.

Calstock Arts at the Old Chapel boasted a world-class line-up and the pubs, the village hall, church and the social club, as well as other venues around the village were full to overflowing with jazz and blues lovers, getting their fix of local and not-so-local talent over the four days.

As well as a host of music and gigs on offer, there was also a student showcase with music students from Plymouth University, a jazz talk exploring female vocalists and the history of the guitar, a 'Never Mind the Jazzstocks' quiz testing the knowledge of jazz enthusiasts and a chance for visitors to make some noise with a number of singing and instrument workshops.

Festival co-ordinator Helen Porter said: 'There were sell-out gigs four nights in a row in the village, from headline acts in the Old Chapel to emerging artists in the Limekiln Gallery, a community music project — Songs From a Small Train — involving Plymouth-based refugees, which had the pews in St Andrew's Church bursting at the seams and was given a standing ovation, as well as great family entertainment in Calstock's village hall, which also hosted the popular Jelly Jazz, and storming gigs in the social club and pubs.'

Food throughout the festival was provided not only by the pubs, but also by Food Dreckly in the Old Chapel and Peace and Cake Café at the village hall, sustaining audience, artists and organisers throughout the festival weekend.

Helen said: 'We've had so much feedback from festival-goers about the amazing artists that come to Calstock.

'To see all the venues in the village heaving was amazing. It is more of a civilised event than the typical music festival— you're not up to your knees in mud!

'This year we planned to do a slightly smaller event, but actually it seemed to turn out to be bigger than last year.'

For the opening evening, Helen said St Andrew's Church was packed with around 200 people attending, many having to stand, kicking off the festival with a big community event.

'We spoke to a lot of audience members to ask where they came from — it was surprising how many said they came last year or were down staying with family and had heard about the event.

'We always make the decision before Christmas as to whether we will hold one for the following year, but I'm pretty certain we will be holding the festival again next year.'

The festival team expressed thanks to everyone who attended the festival and made it a successful event.