A celebration of musical talent will be held in aid of three Somerset hospices – including Weston Hospicecare – on 12^th May in Wells.

The Celebrating Somerset Talent event is planned as part of Somerset Day, an event designed to showcase all that is good about the county.

A host of events will be running across 11^th and 12^th May, including exhibitions, concerts and fairs showcasing art, music, food and drink and more.

Cedars Hall at Wells Cathedral School will host the musical showcase at 6.30pm on 12^th May; performers include rising folk band The Drystones and Yeovilton Military Wives Choir, plus young musicians and celebrity guests from around the county.

The event will be compered by Ben McGrail of ITV West Country, and is raising money for the Somerset Hospice Movement, meaning proceeds will be split between Weston Hospicecare, St Margaret’s Hospice in Taunton, and Dorothy House Hospice Care near Bath.

Somerset Day is supported by local authorities including North Somerset Council, and organised by the non-profit group Passion For Somerset.

Its chairman Nigel Muers-Raby said: “The Somerset Day movement is definitely growing, and we’re expecting a real buzz over the weekend of 11^th May. It is a great opportunity to celebrate the community you live in.

“I very much hope you will be able to join the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Mrs Anne Maw and myself for a very special evening on 12^th May at Cedars Hall in aid of the Somerset Hospice Movement.

“The evening will not only be an opportunity to celebrate Somerset Day, but also to help those cared for by the Somerset Hospice Movement.

“Due to the generous support of the chairman of Somerset County Council, William Wallace, the chairman of Bath and North East Somerset Council Cherry Beath, the chairman of North Somerset Council, Chris Blades and Cedars Hall, we are able to donate all the proceeds from ticket sales and the evening to help the work of our wonderful Somerset Hospices.

“The evening will start at 6.30pm with a Somerset food and drink reception, thanks to the generosity of a number of our fabulous food and drink producers.

“Following this we have an exciting concert which will include headline acts from The Drystones, an award-winning young lively folk duo from Priddy, playing violin, guitar and whistle, and the Yeovilton Military Wives Choir, formed in 2012 as an offshoot of the original Military Wives Choir.

“The evening will be a celebration of Somerset talent, also giving impressive young performers from across the county an opportunity to show their talent.”

Tickets are priced at £25 for adults, or £10 for those aged 18 and under. Book by calling 01749 834483.