Hundreds of people basked in glorious sunshine as the Harvest Moon Music Festival returned for the eighth year at Beccles Quay on Saturday.
Organised by Beccles Community Arts, the day featured a mix of folk, rock and blues bands, with 13 acts for festival-goers to enjoy including The River Hundred Folk Band, Das Fenster and The Alabis, Richard Sutton and Painted Soul.
Although free to attend, the festival raised over £1,000 through generous donations and pitch fees, including a £100 donation from Beccles Rugby Club raised through Beccles Duck Race, over £70 from a raffle to win a Wesley bass guitar and £270 from The Butchers Arms’ beer tent held at the festival.
The money will go into the fundraising pot for the Beccles Community Stage Campaign, launched in partnership with the Beccles and Bungay Journal earlier this year, to build a permanent stage for performers of all ages at the quay.
Jula Janney, chairman of Beccles Community Arts, said: “The weather was wonderful, the music was wonderful and the audience was wonderful.
“We had a real eclectic mix of music, we tried to provide something for everyone and all the bands played for free.
“We had a new bar run by The Butchers Arms which was very popular because of the warm weather.
“We would like to thank everyone that supported the festival.”
The event was put together by a small team of volunteers, with many helping for the first time this year.
Mrs Janney added: “I am so proud of the new committee who were so willing and helpful, even during the trying times.
“I have had some brilliant feedback from the stallholders who said they really enjoyed the ambiance and happiness of the day and have asked that we remember them for next year.
“The biggest thank you should go to the artists who played on the day and the men behind the sound. Every one of the groups and solo artists was a winner and helped keep the people there.”
Mrs Janney also thanked the crew who took down the wheelie bins, the Harbour Master who kept the toilets clean, Crisps Builders for bringing and collecting the generator, TSB for providing the electricity, and Gaze and Co for the loan of their tautliner.
As well as the main stage, there was a beer tent, food and craft stalls, a tombola and plant stall run by Beccles Community Arts volunteers and an NSPCC stall, manned by Beccles mayor Hugh Taylor.
Mr Taylor said: “It was lovely to see people outside, enjoying the festival.
“The committee did a wonderful job of putting the event together.
“It’s fantastic and I hope it continues for many years to come.”
The Beccles Community Stage Campaign aims to raise £60,000 to build a permanent stage for performers to be used at events such as the Harvest Moon Festival, Beccles Duck Race and Beccles Carnival, as well as by local schools, groups and organisations.
Mr Taylor added: “Jula and the committee do a great job, they are raising the profile of and fundraising for the community stage, which I fully support.
“I think it would be a great addition to the Beccles scene.”
•Anyone who would like to donate to the Beccles Community Stage Campaign, join the committee or help with funding applications can call Jula Janney on 01502 712109 or email jula.janney@beccles.info
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here