STREET musicians could be calling the tune in a Wye Valley town if a proposed busking festival gets the go ahead.

Ross-on-Wye is already set for a musical year, with 14 Sunday afternoon ‘Bands in the Park’ concerts just announced for the summer, and a stand-alone ‘Proms in the Park’ event also in the pipeline.

Now September 9 has been earmarked for a busking festival by the Music Industry Services Community Interest Company (MISCIC).

MISCIC founder, Coleford deputy mayor Nick Penny, has outlined his ideas for the event to Ross-on-Wye town councillors, including a central location for an open mic stage and other slots around the town.

Councillors agreed the preferred central location should be the Market Square, although Saturday was market day.

Mr Penny said that paying for a market pitch had overcome the problem in other towns, and added that local businesses would benefit from the extra footfall from the family event, which would be dependent on receiving grant funding.

The town council’s events committee heard that Ross Tourism and Create Ross have expressed support for the festival and would help in any way.

Meanwhile, organisers of the town’s ‘Bands in the Park’ concerts have proposed holding a stand-alone ‘Proms in the Park’ event at the bandstand with brass, steel and swing bands.

Councillors agreed their preferred option would be to hold the event on Saturday, August 19, costing around £850, pending further discussions with the bands.

Fourteen concerts have already been announced for the Sunday afternoon Ross bandstand events this year, with Ross Town Band first on stage on May 28, followed by Pillowell Silver Band on June 4.

Other performers lined up for the 2.30pm-4.30pm concerts are Cinderford Band (June 11); Lydney Town band (June 18); the AW Parker Drybrook Band (June 25); Metz Big Band (July 2); Frampton Silver Band (July 9); Ebbw Valley Brass (July 16); Bream Silver Band (July 23); Gloucester Brass (July 30); Forest of Dean Brass (August 6); Parkend Silver Band (August 13); Pandemonium Steel Pans (August 20); and Ross Town Band (August 27).

See www.facebook.com/bandsintheparkross for more information.