A WEEKEND of fun is being promised over the August bank holiday – a final hurrah before the schools go back and thoughts turn to autumn.
It’s packed with the best food, drink and music you can find, there’s plenty for families to enjoy and it raises thousands for charity.
And it’s all thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers and supporters who are led by one man: Stan Hetherington.
If the name seems familiar, it’s because he featured on our front page a few weeks ago after his cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats for Headway Thames Valley, the brain injury charity.
Or you might have spotted his dab hands on the Bikeathon, his deft touch on the Wokingham Pantomime, or, Wokingham Music Club, parts of the procession at the Winter Carnival, the Wokingham Walk … it’s quite an extensive list – and this only scratches the surface – but Stan is very modest about his exploits.
“I am an enabler,” he said. “I like to get teams into place to make things happen – and if we have fun in the process, even better.”
Right now, all his energies are on this year’s Wokingham Festival, which is seeing some of the biggest changes since it has moved from Elms Field to Cantley Park.
The bigger venue has enabled the second stage to flourish, and this year there is a third whole day of music to enjoy, thanks to a partnership between the Festival and White Star Records.
Taking place on the bank holiday Monday, this will be an all-day celebration of progressive and classic rock, curated by Chris Hillman and his team from the record label.
Stan said: “It’s great to have respected and growing record labels such as White Star Records based in Wokingham.
“To be able to work with Chris and the team there to create a new day at the festival featuring some of their artists with other rock and prog acts that have appeared previously is very exciting and having Darren Redick from Planet Rock as our MC for the day is just icing on a very impressive cake ”
And this is one of Stan’s strengths: the Music Club attracts a host of big names and more unusual acts, with a focus on local talent. Just as at the recent Marvellous Festival, he is organising a second stage devoted to up-and-coming bands.
“I love music, I always have done,” he said. “From going to gigs in the 60s right up to the present day, I’ve always been looking out for talented musicians who know how to put on a good show.
“Being able to organise a second stage like this is brilliant, it’s great for the acts as it gives them a new platform and it’s great for audiences as they’ll discover music they’ve never heard before in a relaxed café style setting.”
And there’s plenty of entertainment on the main stage, where highlights include a set from local group Funk Lab and an appearance by Martin Turner ex Wishbone Ash and a brilliant tribute to Blondie – Totally Blondie.
“It’s a very diverse mixture of bands this year and I couldn’t be happier with the line-up,” he said. “There’s plenty to variety so all musical tastes are catered for. Rock, Folk, Country, Soul. You name it we have it covered
“And we know people will be up and dancing throughout the weekend.”
But that’s not all to the Festival.
From its earliest days, Wokingham Festival has also championed some of the finest food and drink, ensuring that music lovers can come for the day.
“Ian Wisdom’s team from Twyford Beer Festival are once again behind the bar, raising money for Orchid Male Cancer Charity, a cause dear to their hearts. They are all volunteers who know their beer and can’t wait to serve you.
“There will be more than 30 different specialist beers to try and every single one of them will be brilliant.
“We’re delighted that we have Andy, James and the team from The Redan back with us for their cocktail bar – they know how to mix up some of the finest cocktails known to man and they’re great company too.”
Add in stallholders offering everything from ice cream to holidays, records to Greek street food, plus a great children’s corner, there really is something for everyone.
“A lot of people have worked their socks off to make this weekend happen – and we can’t wait for you to enjoy it.
“It’s going to be really special this year – don’t miss out!”
