Vote for Colne to win 2011 British Blues Award

Colne’s annual event has been nominated in the British Blues Festival category and organisers, Pendle Leisure Trust, need your vote!

Festival organiser Alison Goode said: “We are delighted to have been nominated for an award and what makes it more special is the fact we have been nominated by someone who enjoys the festival.

“We had no idea we had been nominated until we were contacted by the organisers, which suggests it is a fan of the festival that put our name forward.

“The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival is now in its 22nd year and it is nice to finally be recognised. We hope all those people who enjoy the festival year after year will take the time to vote for us.”

The winners will be announced during an awards ceremony at Newark Castle during Newark Blues Festival on September 11th.

There are 15 categories, including British Male and Female Vocalist, British Blues Band, British Instrumentalist and British Young Artist.

Colne’s festival is up against five other festivals in the British Blues Festival category – Blues On The Farm, Carlisle Blues Festival, Maryport Blues Festival, Newark Blues Festival and Swanage Blues Festival.

The awards, launched last year, are nominated and voted for by the public and Blues fans.

Last year there were over 1,600 nominations for the various categories and more than 7,000 people voted.

Alison added: “We would like everyone to get behind us and vote for the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival. Simply go to www.britishbluesawards.com and let’s see this fantastic event get the recognition it deserves!”

The closing date is Sunday, July 31st.

This August Bank Holiday weekend the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival celebrates 22 years of bringing the Blues to Colne!

With more than 600 artistes performing at eight official venues over four days, this annual event is believed to be the biggest of its kind in this country and the second biggest in Europe!

Over the last two decades the festival has welcomed the crème-de-la-crème of Blues talent and the calibre continues for 2011, with such popular and well-known names as Jack Bruce, Steve Cropper and Robin Trower lined-up to play this year.