The Bagpipe Society

Blowout 2024

31 May - 2 June 2024

Polesworth Abbey High Street Polesworth Warwickshire B78 1DU

Featuring:

• Cassandre Balbar & Phil Alexander
• Fabrice Besson & Julian Sutton
• Iain Gelston
• Chris Walshaw
• Steve Tyler
• David Faulkner’s Pipe Club
• Oscina
• Aisling Holmes
• Terry Mann
• Robert Hickman
• Ross Calderwood
• more workshops for beginners
• … and the Fabulous Friday Night Competition!

See all performers and workshop leaders here.

A Blowout in a Nutshell

The Blowout is the annual gathering of the Bagpipe Society, but is open to all and anyone happy to buy a ticket. The weekend ticket includes camping in the vicarage garden on Friday & Saturday night and access to all workshops, talks and concerts. It’s very good value!

If it’s your first Blowout, ask for Kirsten or Martin on arrival - or look for anyone with a big friendly Bagpipe Society badge - and we’ll do our best to help or to answer any questions. This year, we are offering more sessions for beginners, aiming to keep you busy & entertained throughout the weekend!

Friday

The Blowout starts on Friday afternoon in a fairly informal manner. The main event is the Fabulous Friday Night Competition, hosted by Julian Goodacre. We start when he is ready, but definitely not before dinner. The 2024 theme is Nuts, Biscuits and Appertaining Anagrams… see link below for full(ish) details!

Blowout Competition Rules

Saturday

Saturday is packed with workshops from 10am-5pm, followed by the BagSoc AGM, the concert in The Abbey Church Of St Editha and the Bal Folk.

Saturday Timetable

Sunday

Sunday continues with workshops, a talk, and the closing concert which features most of the performers & workshop leaders as well as contributions from the weekend’s participants.

We finish at 3:30pm and go home tired & happy. Hangovers are optional.

Sunday Timetable

More information about the practicalities can be found here.

Makers’ Stalls

A number of leading pipe makers will be exhibiting their wares and will be glad to help you draw up your wish list.

The Bagpipe Society’s Secondhand Pipes, Books & CD Stall

Buy, sell, swap, donate - it’s up to you!

Food

Catering is provided by Just Add Guests. Read the menu .

IMPORTANT: Meals need to be ordered by 22 May 2024!

The Bar

The Bar is run by the village hall, which is a fully licensed premises. Please be aware that only alcohol purchased from the bar may be consumed on the premises.