Organisers of Congleton Jazz and Blues have been reflecting on another successful year.

Music swept through the streets of Beartown over the bank holiday weekend as the popular annual festival made its return.

Mark Bailey, chair of Congleton Live CIC, has praised venues and sponsors for helping to deliver a 'stunning' weekend of live music.

He said: "Congleton has done itself very proud. 

"It's lovely to see joyful greetings, helpfulness and general happiness, all inspired by live music and performance. 

"It gladdens the heart."

Local artist Ian Ecclestone (Credit: Mike Sherry)

Mark continued: "As ever, the venue managers and their staff looked after patrons with great care and professionalism. 

"Perhaps a share of credit is owed to the weather-gods who were on board with our plans.

"The patrons seemed to have a joyous time, starting at noon on Saturday right through to post-midnight on Sunday. 

"The volunteer team continue to do great work, seeming to continuously raise the standards.

"Our view of very positive social media feedback today is hugely encouraging and positively motivating for us. Thank you all." 

An amalgamation of Rock Choir groups, from Macclesfield, New Mills, Sandbach and Wilmslow, converged on Congleton Town Hall (Credit: Sheridans Photography)

This year's Jazz and Blues, the 15th edition of the festival, was the biggest yet.

Over two dozen venues across Congleton took part, staging nearly 100 free-entry gigs between them.

There have been some questions over the introduction of new musical genres.

Mark said: "Some jazz and a lot of blues remains a constant theme of our festivals, and we believe it will remain so for a long time to come. 

"We have to respond to the feedback we received from so many patrons over many years, with many asking for other genres. 

"Similarly, the official Venues have to have a say in the music that appeals to their patrons, and is a best fit for their venue. 

"This has been respected and served for some years and is a factor that has helped increase attendance numbers and an opportunity for our businesses to showcase the town's offerings.

"I repeat, some jazz and lots of blues will continue to be a core and the major thread of our festivals, while the 'Jazz and Blues' brand we have established, will continue and will allow for the demand of audiences."

Jazz and blues will continue to a core of the festival moving forward (Credit: Sheridans Photography)

The event is run by volunteers with support from Congleton Town Council, Congleton Inclosure Trust and Congleton Town Trust, alongside a collection of local businesses.

"The team of volunteers are also consumers, and between us we see all gigs," Mark added.

"Within that team we include our official roving photographer who sees every gig and helps to create a wonderful pictorial archive of all our festivals. 

"We all share notes and comments, many of which are collected from venue managers, patrons, and performers. 

"All these opinions add up to a stunning success for our town's hospitality offering, and more importantly for our great appreciation of performance and our very warm treatment to visitors."

The event is run by volunteers (Credit: Sheridans Photography)