By Duncan Bick

Last updated at 12:16, Monday, 12 November 2012

Blue was the colour as musicians from around the world flocked to Carlisle.

Steve ‘Pablo’ Jones

The city hosted its sixth annual blues festival at the Swallow Hilltop Hotel off London Road from Friday to Sunday.

It featured 17 acts and attracted around 1,000 music fans.

Nick Westgarth, 56, of Carleton, near Carlisle, was the event’s organiser. He is delighted at how the festival has developed over the years.

“It started off really, really well and it has just continued growing,” he said.

“The quality of the bands has improved each year and I think it has lifted the quality of the concert. This year it is particularly strong.”

This year’s acts included Gerry Jablonski, Mick Ralphs’ Blues Band, Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash, Geoff Achison and The Souldigger, and Lisa Mills.

Mr Westgarth paid tribute to his team of organisers and thinks the diversity of the acts performing is one of the festival’s key strengths.

“You can pick up what you want,” he said.

Graeme McGrory, 58, of Dearham, attended with his partner Ann Westcott, 61.

“It’s great. You have to keep this sort of thing going around here,” he said.

First published at 11:46, Monday, 12 November 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk