Only once every four years can a festival get away with scheduling bands around the World Cup. Grendon Festival in Buckinghamshire is an open-air one-dayer where you can watch England's opening World Cup match against the USA on a giant video wall in the evening and relive the glory of 1966 in the afternoon. Meanwhile, bands play a main stage and acoustic tent. You won't find any really famous names, but there will be lots of local talent, real ales and ciders, a barbecue and a hog roast. All profits go to charity, most notably the Florence Nightingale Hospice in Aylesbury.Festival organiser John Davison - “We set out to create a feel-good event for the local community and to raise money for local charities. It’s a sad fact but serious illness touches so many of our lives – that’s why we chose FNH as our main beneficiary”
Grendon Underwood resident and local GP, Dr Alan Watt who sadly lost his wife Yvonne to cancer in 2008 has first-hand experience of FNH. “The care that Yvonne received during her final weeks and the support given to me and my family was invaluable to all of us – FNH really does make a difference”.
Head of Fundraising at FNH, Lindsey Fealey “We’re delighted that Grendon festival has chosen to support us – we need to raise just short of half a million pounds every year and we couldn’t possibly do that without the help of people in the local area”
Like many local villages Grendon Underwood prides itself in its community spirit. “When Yvonne died, it seemed like the whole community rallied around us” commented Dr Watt. Organiser John Davison agrees. “We’ve had phenomenal support - despite the economic climate many local businesses are giving their time and services free of charge”.
The countdown to the World Cup may be well underway but the main event in four weeks won’t be in Rustenberg, South Africa but in Grendon Underwood.
Dr Watt and his children James and Sarah are now looking forward to June 12th, fine weather and hopefully an England victory.
Advance tickets priced at £7.50 are available now from www.grendonfestival.co.uk <http://www.grendonfestival.co.uk/>; (under 11s are free when accompanied by an adult). Tickets will be available on the day subject to availability priced at £10.00. The web site provides all the festival details.
