Scrum on down to Rugfest (From The Oxford Times)

Three thousand beer and music fans expected for Wallingford Rugfest

11:33am Thursday 17th June 2010 in News By Liam Sloan

THREE thousand beer and music fans are expected to descend on Wallingford for the return of Rugfest from July 2-4.

The festival, set up last year to raise money for Wallingford RFC, features 14 bands over two nights and more than 30 real ales on tap.

Organisers have promised it will be bigger and better than last year’s festival, and have added an extra night on Friday alongside an all-day session on Saturday.

And, for the first time, weekend revellers will be able to camp from Friday, July 2, until noon on Sunday, July 4.

The headliners will be Scottish singer-songwriter Jackie Leven on Friday and Big Macs Wholly Soul Band on Saturday.

Festival spokesman Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies said: “We had 2,000 people here last year, and it would be nice to see 3,000 this time, which is quite modest given all the effort that has been put into organising it.

“There was a general joy and glee last year because it was good to have something like this in South Oxfordshire. Some of the bands that went down the best are coming back for repeat performances, particularly festival favourites Quadrophobe.”

She said Friday’s sets would be largely acoustic, with more vibrant acts taking to the stage on Saturday, including youth bands and local indie, rock and ska acts.

Beer will be on sale from the Vale, Loddon, Ramsbury, West Berkshire, Tring, Cotswold and Rebellion breweries, while cocktails will be prepared by staff at Wallingford’s Old Post Office, which is sponsoring the event.

Family-friendly activities include circus and drumming workshops, performances from schools, street dance, and a children’s disco.

Mrs Stinchcombe-Gillies said: “It is the first weekend of July, and we are hoping the weather will be as beautiful as last year. We want it to be as attractive as possible to families and people in the local community rather than just a booze fest.”

Money raised from the festival will be used to renovate the rugby club’s changing rooms, which are 40 years old.

Tickets for the event, which will be opened by Arts Minister Ed Vaizey, are £5 for the Friday, £12 for the Saturday, or £15 for the weekend.

For more information go to www.rugfest.co.uk