Festival Goers Join Major Rescue Operation For Missing Woman

Around 100 festival goers at the Burton Agnes Jazz & Blues Festival volunteered to assist with a major search and rescue operation after a 74 year old festival attendee went missing.

The extensive operation involved police and fire search teams, police dogs, mountain and lowland rescue teams and a helicopter.

The volunteers formed search parties after Marian Turton, who was reported to be suffering with early signs of dementia, was last seen on Saturday evening heading into the direction of the woods.

Mrs Turton was thankfully found safe and well 24 hours later and Humberside police extended their thanks to everyone who helped to scour acres of countryside and properties around the stately Elizabethan Hall.

The camaraderie and friendship of the camping community, who pitch up for the annual three day event, is evident from the outset.

This year’s seventh Jazz & Blues Festival attracted an unprecedented turnout as hundreds basked in glorious sunshine, savouring the vibrant performances.

After a full-on Saturday night, there was no taking it easy as Skeltr, described as “An electrifying new duo in which Sam Healey’s roaring sax lines soar above Craig Hanson’s drum patterns, electronic soundscapes and samples,” blew the cobwebs away, ensuring everyone was awake on Sunday morning.

Hailed as the most authentic UK blues and soul singer of her generation, Kyla Brox and her musical and life partner, Danny Blomeley, delivered ‘soul power’, ramping up the searing temperatures a few more degrees.

The daughter of bluesman Victor Brox, she wowed the audience with gutsy and emotional numbers including ‘365’, ‘What’s left on the table’ – a song about hard partying – and ‘I will love you more’ which is dedicated to her children Sadie and Sonny.

The strains of Atlantic Crossover - a renewed version and second wave of a 'Tribute to Atlantic Jazz' who have revitalised their project after six years apart filled the beautiful grounds.

The award-winning gardens and Burton Agnes Hall - which Simon Jenkins, author of England's Thousand Best Houses, described as ‘the perfect English house’ and as one of the twenty best English houses alongside Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and Chatsworth House - are also open for visitors’ enjoyment for the duration of the festival.

The annual event would not be possible without affable host and saxophonist, Simon Cunliffe-Lister, who generously opens his home and gardens to the public.

Invited onto the stage to join Ben Beattie’s After Midnight Band, Simon and the performers played out the weekend – ensuring the festival finished on a high as the crowds jigged, jived and clapped their hearts out.

A rousing and colourful conga conveyed their appreciation of the group’s mix of original compositions and powerful all-time greats including Paul Simon’s Diamonds ‘On The Soles of Her Shoes’, Nina Simone’s ‘I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free’, Marvin’s Gaye’s ‘Let’s get It On’ and ‘Amazing Grace’.

With not a cake, crisp, or crumb left from the local concessions that had satiated appetites, silence descended on the site as the sun sank into the Yorkshire Wolds and the music lovers reflected on another fantastic year of top talent, fun and friendship.

Early bird tickets are available for the Burton Agnes eighth Jazz & Blues Festival in 2019. For details visit the website on www.burtonagnes.com or call the office on 01262 490324.