Steve Knightley of Show of Hands has penned a Wickham song

The Show of Hands favourite has penned a special anthem in praise of the picturesque spot where he will perform later this summer. 

It is a poetic tribute to an area which has always been close to his heart and the Southampton-born musician plans to perform it during the Wickham Festival, which runs from August 4-7.

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He laughed: “I haven’t quite decided whether it will fit better in my Friday solo set or on Saturday with the full band – so people will just have to get a weekend ticket and come to both!

“It was a real honour and a thrill to be asked by Nicki Oliver of the Parish Council to write this song which was supposed to mark the 900th anniversary of the village in 2020.

“But the pandemic meant the festival was cancelled and the celebrations had to be put on hold so I am delighted I will finally get to perform it in a few weeks.

“The hardest part of writing it was deciding what to leave out as there are so many distinct elements to the village from the Boxing Day motorbike gathering to the annual Taste of Wickham Food Festival, the water meadows, the medieval square, the Travellers’ Fair and of course the music festival plus so much more.

“Normally when I write a song, I have some music in my head but this was slightly different as I started with the lyrics.

“I am very pleased with the result. It is quite expressive with a section for people to sing along and I think it captures the atmosphere and history of this little village which is so special to so many.”

Wickham Festival puts this tiny village on the map with music lovers attending from as far afield as Australia and the USA.

Knightley will play a solo set on August 5 with Show of Hands performing the following night as part of a line-up which includes the Saw Doctors’ only UK festival appearance of 2022 and their first gig in England for five years.

Tickets are on sale now from wickhamfestival.co.uk 

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