THE quiet, scenic road which passes through Milverton, Wiveliscombe and Waterrow has formed the inspiration for a popular bi-annual event.

The 10 Parishes Festival, which is formed from Wiveliscombe, Milverton and the surrounding parishes, has a new theme for this year’s festival – the B3227.

The festival is a bi-annual celebration of the creative talent in this part of Somerset, and is always on the look-out for new angles for promoting artists and performers.

One such performer is the Over the Hill’s Blues Band.

Inspired by the iconic song Route 66 by Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones and others, it has written (Heaven on) The B3227 now frequently heard at gigs around Somerset and on 10Radio.

The song has inspired three young sisters living near Waterrow to start making a pop video.

And their enthusiasm has inspired the festival to use the song and the road itself as a theme in this September’s event.

To warm up the creative engines, the festival is hosting an ideas evening at Wiveliscombe’s Cotleigh Brewery on Friday, February 24 at 8pm.

Anyone living beside, working along or using the B3277 is invited to go and share their ideas for this year’s festival, which takes place between September 9-17.

The aim of the evening is to gather ideas which will help the planning for the festival and the potential for screenings, performances, exhibitions and other events.

The Over the Hill’s Blues Band will also perform a live set including ‘The B3227’.

Pauline Homeshaw of the 10 Parishes Festival said: “This is a new theme for the festival and we hope that it will help to generate excitement, inspire participation and make this year’s one of the best in its history.”

Peter Krijgsman of OTHBB said: “We’re very proud that the festival is using our song and hope it helps to promote one of this area’s main calendar events. As well as the B3227, of course.”