Villagers in South Gloucestershire’s Marshfield have come together to launch a charity fundraiser with a difference. MarshFest will be held at Marshfield Cricket Club on 22 September 2018, 2pm to 11.30pm, and will feature a line up of 10 local bands, locally-sourced food such as Pizza Folk, children’s activities including a children’s craft tent from Bath’s nationally acclaimed The Makery, and ‘Chuffy’, a ride-on train that will give tours around the event.
The brainwave of a group of dads in the village, MarshFest has a diverse range of bands at its heart aimed at a music-loving village which boasts a multitude of talented local acts such as Stay Hungry, Richard Friend and Uke Can’t be Serious. Local charities Friends of Huck, set up by the late Mark Hucklebridge and his family, and Marshfield Primary PTA will benefit from the money raised.
Covers band, The Clones, Swing Blues act, Haney’s Big House, and Jazz-Funk groove fuelled Eden are amongst the 10 acts that will also be performing live throughout the day.
“We came up with the idea over a drink in the Catherine Wheel, our spiritual home,” said Guy Lowin, MarshFest organiser. “We’d previously organised the annual Marshfield Boules Day competition, and one of the most popular elements was the live music, so we knew there was appetite for more. This event puts the music at the centre, allowing us to showcase the incredible local talent we have right here on our doorstep.”
A range of food stalls are set to satisfy all taste buds and include Pizza Folk, which mixes authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza with folk music, and That Street Food who will be selling Mexican favourites such as taquitos and loaded nachos.
The local Army Regiment will also have a stand where guests can see some of their weapons and communications equipment. Children will be able to communicate with friends using the Personal Role Radio and experience the kit a soldier takes on patrol.
Balthazar’s Bubbles will be providing bubble entertainment throughout the day, Wiltshire Bee Centre’s stand will feature activities and live bees in the Observation Hive, and Chuffy the ride-on train will take families all around the cricket club. Parents and Children alike can chill out by exploring the Enchanted Wood, and there’s an opportunity for the kids to strut their stuff on the Dressing up Catwalk.
Crowds of up to 500 are expected on the day, and the organisers have prepared for both wet and dry weather, with the cricket pavilion on hand, as well as a licensed marquee. A MarshFest committee will be helping to run the event along with members of Friends of Huck and the Marshfield Primary PTA.
Tickets are on sale via their website or in Marshfield’s village shop, Central Stores.
“We know that people here are getting excited because the first batch of MarshFest t-shirts sold out within days,” commented James Wood, MarshFest organiser. “We decided to run a Facebook poll to see which colours to print them in next. In under two hours we had over 100 votes, with blue in the lead by a country mile!”
Lee Harrison, MarshFest organiser, added, “It’s been a steep but fun learning curve as none of us have ever planned a festival before, but people have really come together to support the event and a lot of companies have generously given us discounts. We hope to raise a decent amount of money for two worthy charities and have a fantastic time along the way.”