Throughout hundreds of thousands of years of human evolution we have no record of a music festival on Portland (apart from a rain affected 3-day alt-country / roots festival called Spyda Fest on what was then the Southwell Business Park site in 2004 – thanks to Stewart Osborne). Thus Saturday 19th July 2014 will be forever synonymous with this mighty event alongside The Grove Farm on whose land the festival was hosted. With the aim of attracting people to Portland and raising money for key charities including ‘Help for Heroes’ and the vandalised memorial bench of the late teenager Jess Johnson this event also had a virtuous heart. Not something that many festival organisers can say. Therefore thank you Glen Chadwick and all those other like minded people who worked alongside him and spent their time and energy turning this idea in to reality.
The day dawned with thunder booming and the threat of more heavy rain. Thankfully this cleared quite quickly and the sun beamed down and the tension lifted as did the expression on Glen’s face.
From mid afternoon a smile moved in and stayed. There were three stages; two of them covered. The main stage (Tyrannosaurus Stage); Triceratops Stage and the Clifton Stage. Although I was disappointed to miss Nobody’s Heroes who kicked off at 10.30 on the Main stage the rest of the bands were all terrific and played their hearts out. Dancing to mostly covers (although not all) middle aged people shook off their inhibitions (with much thanks to copious amounts of cider) and shook parts of their bodies that had previously forgotten how to shake. Hips, shoulders and necks were much busier than usual. Children played and made the most of fairground games.
The crowd grew as the day progressed and the sun defeated the miscreant weather. The bands played on the three stages until 19.15 when the main stage took over and the crowd united. I chatted with the Wonkey Donkey members who oozed enthusiasm not only for the festival but music generally. Based in Poole music comes across as a salvation for them as it is for many. Wandering around with local Mark Vine we were impressed by the atmosphere especially during the day as was local artist Paul Liggins. Local culture has been attacked recently (Guardian article) but in common with the response of many at the time this festival countered that denigration. We leaned against the bar at the top end of the venue and took in
The Red Crow
Eat the Rich (the best name on the bill)
Guns of Navarone
and Mark’s personal favourite The Skimmity Hitchers.
I also wandered around and watched
JO-JO
The Sacre Blues
Mitchell & Vincent
and The Mad Hatters.
Last on were the ‘headliners’ The Wurzels’.
They played a traditional Wurzels set with the old favourites. I would have loved them to do some of their renditions of other bands especially The Stranglers and Tears for Fears but the crowds were pleased and celebrated ooh arrrrr… and cider country almost collectively.
This was a terrific day for all ages and with the support of the community should now become a mainstay for many future summers. The chance for local communities to come together harmoniously. Who can ask for much more?
Jason Cridland
