Spur-tacular time at Hunstanton’s first ever Wild West Festival!

Line dancing and country music throughout the day proves a big hit.

Full disclosure - I am a big fan of country music and line dancing (although I’ve only done it once), so I’ve been looking forward to the town’s first Wild West Festival.

Walking into the field at Glebe House School I see the marquee where a line dancing lesson has just begun. My chance to improve. Barbara and Robin Potter, who’ve been line dancers for more than 30 years, tell me to relax but get in the middle, “Because then you have someone to follow when you turn around.” Robin tells me they used to do ballroom as a couple but with this style, “You’re on your own - so the wife can’t tell you 'you’ve stepped on my toes’,” he jokes.

Buckin' Boots

Amy Walton from Buckin Boots is the instructor and for the next half hour I attempt to follow. I mess up a few times (Amy promises me this doesn’t matter, to just enjoy it). And that’s what 8 year old Millie and her 3 year old sister Imogen from Wisbech are doing. “It’s really good and I like the confusing dances, because they’re more fun,” says Millie. I don’t necessarily agree with that, but I do agree it’s fun.

Nearby on the main stage Stevie Daniels & The Wranglers from Peterborough have just finished their set. “Brilliant to open the festival,” Stevie says. Lead guitarist Paul Ingry adds, “The thing about today is it’s really sort of a family event with people of all different ages, everyone can enjoy it. And it’s great to see a country festival here happening.

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Up next is Henry Smith’s Country Dreams who praise the location. Drummer Greg Padmore says, “Lovely scenery, Norfolk has always made us welcome, so it’s great - we are really excited to be here.”

Local MP, James Wild and Baroness Natalie Evans

I spot North West Norfolk MP James Wild sitting on a hay bale enjoying the music. “I wanted to come and support this event and am a big fan of country music. I’ve been fortunate enough to go to Nashville. I love live music and with country it’s all about the stories, which I like.” I ask where his cowboy boots and hat are. “I did look at some boots and I used to have a Stetson, when I visited Texas I got one when my sister lived out there for a while. So yeah I might get another Stetson but not sure about the boots!”

On my way to see the American car and truck display I bump into Elizabeth and Amelia, a mother and daughter from Wiltshire, who’re visiting Norfolk for the first time. “So we saw the Country Chicks UK play a few weeks ago near where we live, my daughter fell in love with them. She broke up from school yesterday so I thought let’s treat ourselves, so I booked a hotel for the night and thought we’d come and dance around. I want to have a go at a bit of line dancing, we like the fact that everyone can join in.”

I spot a Phaeton Excalibur (think Cruella da Vil, 101 Dalmations) owned by Moreen and Brian Williams from Elm. “You get the wows when you drive around in this. When I first saw her, it was love at first sight. Both the wife and the car,” laughs Brian. At 21 feet long though he admits it’s hard to park. “I may have hit the bumper in a supermarket car park recently.” (I love the fact he’s taken it to do a food shop). He then tells me, “You’ve got to have a pink Cadillac once in your life, the one I have has the big cow horns on the front - if you’re going to do it, you’ve got to do it right!” He also says I should invest in a cowboy hat, that “he’s lost count of the number he has”.

Peddars Way - Chris Moorhouse & Sharon Clifton performed on the marquee stage in the afternoon

11 acts take to the main stage in total, and in the marquee there’s also live music as well as Amy and others giving lessons throughout the afternoon into the evening. The atmosphere is friendly and inclusive - I see a few impressive shirt fringes. I spot two year old Theodore a few times at various locations enjoying a dance. “He’s a lone dancer though,” says his mum Angelica, “I’ve tried to join him but he doesn’t want me to! It’s lovely to see him so happy, it’s been a fantastic day.” A line dancer in the making perhaps.

Each of the acts I chat to praise the organisers. Richard Dix, Programme Controller of KL1 Radio and KL Country, “Hopes this will be the first Wild West Norfolk Festival of many.” Adding “I’m not much of a dancer though, I’ve two left feet, so I’ll leave that to others!” And the dancing - by many others - went on well into the evening.

Just before the headline act Country Chicks took to the stage Richard Dix gathered the volunteers for a photo and thank you.

I leave daydreaming of driving a pink Cadillac to do my weekly shop, but as that’s way out of my reach I console myself by investing in a hat and line dancing lessons. Bring on next year!

Images and video credits: Ian Burt, Dani Crawshaw, Elaine Bird

Henry Smith’s Country Dreams

Buckin Boots line dancing lesson

A line dancer in the making

Closing the first Wild West Norfolk Festival, Headliners the Country Chicks began their set at 8.30pm on 5th July.