The four churches festival will be returning to the Waveney Valley in May with rock legend Rick Wakeman once again at the helm. 

The world-renowned keyboard player, and star of television series Grumpy Old Men, lives in the Diss area where the festival is based. And he will be joined by a cast of musicians, comedians and actors including Nicholas Parsons, television comedy producer Charles Garland and Keith Skues, awarded an MBE in 2004 for his services to broadcasting and charity. 

“It always gives me immense pleasure to perform in these ancient and unique buildings, and I am really looking forward to working alongside the talented artists booked for this event,” said Mr Wakeman who lives next door to the Rev Trevor Riess, the priest in charge of the four parishes. 

“Working with the team from the local churches also enables me to see how a few dedicated people ensure that these fabulous buildings are looked after for the benefit of everyone in the community.”

The festival opens with a comedy night with Joe Goodman and special guests at Billingford church on Wednesday May 27, followed by an evening with Nicholas Parsons at All Saints Church, Thorpe Abbots, the following day. He will also chair a live version of Radio 4′s hit show ‘Just a Minute’ at Brockdish church on Friday May 29 that includes Rick Wakeman in the line-up. 

The festival concludes on Saturday May 30 with two performances by Gordon Giltrap, one of the UK’s most respected guitarists, at St Andrew’s Church, Scole. 

Mr Riess said: “The festival embodies the medieval ideal of churches as community centres – places where Christian worship takes place alongside a whole range of other activities that enhance the quality of people’s lives. 

“We are all really looking forward to welcoming this year’s performers as well as the many hundreds of people who will be coming to see them.”

Full story from the Diss Mercury