Festival of fun for good causes

A MUSIC festival with a unique theme was launched last weekend to raise money for charity.

The First Old Ford Charity Summer Bash at the Old Ford Pub in North Camp played host to mods, rockers and hot rods from across the News area.

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Hundreds of weird, wonderful and unique custom cars, motorbikes and scooters descended on the pub to support the event.

Prizes for best custom car, scooter and bike helped secure interest from clubs that usually meet at the pub. As well as featuring bands such as Koopa Troopa, Rhythm Pigs and Old Blue Moses, the festival also offered children’s entertainment and the marching band of the Deepcut Cadet Corps made an appearance on Sunday.

The focus of the three-day event was to boost funds for the Surrey Air Ambulance Appeal, the Royal National Lifeboat Institute and children’s charity Dreams Come True.

Although funds are still being counted, landlord Brian Rowe said he expected to have raised between £500 and £1,000 for each cause.

He added: “It was very successful. The place was covered in hot rods and scooters.”

Brian said notable vehicles included a 1950s American school bus, a 1932 Model Y Ford and a 1958 Jaguar.

“We’re really pleased as it’s the first time we’ve done it here,” he said. “It’s a great success and we’d like to make it an annual event.”

Continuing to offer a venue for live music, the Old Ford will play host to the popular Tonic Fest music event at the end of the month.

Featuring bands such as Ska outfit 2 Tonic, Kings of Hearts and Paul Weller tribute act Well A Live, the festival was threatened with cancellation after its Salisbury home no longer became viable.

On the August bank holiday weekend around 400 people are expected to converge on the North Camp Station pub.

For more information, call the pub on 01252 544840.

First printed in: Farnborough News and Mail

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