The 7th annual Wigan Diggers' festival happens outdoors at The Wiend in Wigan on 9th September this year, and features the usual huge range of entertainment, including theatre, films, comedy, poetry and talks.
The theme, as always, is the legacy of Gerrard Winstanley and the 17th Century Diggers movement he inspired. Also known as the True Levellers, the Diggers were one of the first truly egalitarian political movements of the poor and property-less anywhere in the world, and the first to argue for full equality of men and women. They and Winstanley famously asserted: 'The world was made a common treasury for all!'...
Helping to celebrate this year is Little Hulton band Patchwork Rattlebag, who cite Nietzsche as inspiration, have set lists painted on stage and label their electro-driven music 'Brain-Pop' (see previous Salford Star article and interview – click here).
They are joined by well over a dozen bands and musicians, including multi-award winning folk-rockers, Merry Hell; 'prog electronica' outfit, John The Baptist and The Second Coming; bluesy acoustic Wigan four piece, the Brandon Lee Web Band; the electro folk of Harp and A Monkey; the Mancunian post punkers, Wonderland Trip; the always brilliant singer/songwriter, George Borowski; and poetry, music and comedy with a socialist edge from Bard Company.
Also happening is a drama and song performance by Wigan community group More Than Words; spoken word from Eva Curless; Monologue John Bartley on the 'song and story stage', and all day children's entertainment from Steam Community Group.
Fringe events include a talk by Dr David Taylor on Gerrard Winstanley: The Bible and God at Wigan Parish Church, and two short plays about The Chartists and The Levellers by the Soothside Radicles, Unfinished Business and The Putney Principle.
As well as all this, there's over fifty stalls featuring everything from campaign groups to books and food, plus a beer tent selling real ales and ciders. As always, it's going to be one riveting day...
7th Annual Wigan Diggers' Festival
Saturday 9th September 11am-9:30pm free
The Wiend, Wigan
For full details of all performers and location see the website – click here
Or see the Facebook page Wigan Diggers Festival – click here
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