Music festival scores a success – and may become annual event

By lee wagstaff newsdesk@thepostandtimes.co.uk

PLANS to hold an annual dance music festival on a farm moved a step closer after the first ever "Woodfunk Weekender" proved a roaring success.

Fears over the controversial event were unfounded as about 350 revellers descended on Wood Farm, in Great Gate, near Hollington.

Farm owner Nick Brandrick hired out his tractor barn for the festival, which had previously drawn complaints of noise and damage to property when it was staged over one night in its original home of Leek.

However, the festival passed by without incident and Mr Brandrick paid tribute to the "fantastic organisation" of the first ever Woodfunk weekend event.

The 53-year-old former dairy farmer said: "It was something completely different to what I am used to and I didn't really know what to expect.

"I kept my fingers crossed that everything would go well and so it proved. It was a brilliant weekend and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

"Although there were people from as far as Ireland and Germany in attendance, everyone seemed to know each other and it was a really friendly and extremely well organised event.

"The music wasn't what I would normally listen to myself, but I was very impressed with the whole set up.

"My neighbour said he heard nothing and the traffic was very well monitored and kept away from the village."

Comparisons with farmer Michael Eavis, who founded the now iconic Glastonbury festival in 1970, may be premature, but Mr Brandrick admits he has developed a taste for hosting events.

"I told the organisers they are more than welcome to hold the festival here again next year," added Mr Brandrick.

"I get 12 temporary licences a year and I hope anybody looking for a decent venue will consider the farm.

"I am hoping we have started at the bottom and are working our way up, rather than starting at the top and working our way down."

Mr Brandrick, who also turns his barn into Santa's Grotto at Christmas in aid of the village church, plans to hold a variety of events in the future.

In September, the farm will host a more family-orientated festival called "BenFest", in honour of a family friend who died of cancer in 2007.

Organiser Carol Howard, aged 50, of Trent Vale, is using the farm for the weekend event aimed at raising money for the Ben Howard Appeal, which was set up following her son's death.

She said: "I have known Nick for a few years now and this is a case of us helping each other out.

"Wood Farm is a great venue and is perfect for our needs. We will have a stage in the barn and already have 12 bands confirmed.

"We have a real family-friendly weekend planned in Ben's honour and are hoping to attract around 400 people to raise money for our charity."