Home Farm Fest Press 2022

HOME FARM FEST PRESS JU 20 NE 22

In association with School in a Bag & Yeovil Press www.yeovilpress.co.uk

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REMEMBERING FORMER PRESTON SCHOOL AND YEOVIL COLLEGE STUDENT PIERS SIMON ON WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS 50TH BIRTHDAY << PAGE 7 PLUS NEWS AND PHOTOS FROM THE AMAZING SCHOOL IN A BAG CHARITY

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INSIDE

YOUR 12-PAGE GUIDE TO HOME FARM FEST JUNE 10-12, 2022

LET'S PARTY - THE FESTIVAL IS BACK THE Home Farm Festival at Chilthorne Domer – which helps raise money for the School in a Bag charity – is all set to make a welcome and triumphant return.

The festival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but it is now all systems go for the much-loved family music festival to be staged at Home Farm over the weekend of June 10-12.

The School in a Bag team works tirelessly to support orphaned and disadvantaged children around the globe by bringing them a simple ray of hope in the form of a brightlycoloured schoolbag packed with everyday school and eating utensils we would take for

granted.

And although things have been relatively quiet over the past couple of years because of the pandemic, the charity has continued to do everything it can to help people in need – most recently with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

School in a Bag was created 13 years ago as part of the Piers Simon Appeal which was formed shortly after the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami in Asia which killed over 230,000 people including former Preston School and Yeovil College student Piers Simon at the age of 33.

The 2019 Home Farm Fest raised a

whopping £72,000 for the charity to bring the overall total raised at the 14 festivals – which began in 2006 – to an amazing £477,000.

Ticket information for this year’s Home Farm Fest can be found on Page 6 of this edition of Home Farm Fest Press.

This is the fourth edition of Home Farm Fest Press – a newspaper dedicated to the work of School in a Bag and Home Farm Fest and produced by long-time supporter Steve Sowden and the independent monthly community newspaper Yeovil Press which can be found at www.yeovilpress.co.uk .

For more information about Home Farm Fest – go to www.homefarmfest.co.uk .

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www.schoolinabag.org

For all the latest news, sport and leisure from the Yeovil and surrounding area – pick up you FREE copy of the monthly newspaper from various outlets in and around Yeovil. yeovilpress@gmail.coma

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It's great to be back with Home Farm Fest Press!

WELCOME to the 2022 Home Farm Fest Press – the annual newspaper publication devoted to raising the profile of the annual Home Farm Fest music extravaganza at Chilthorne Domer near Yeovil and raising awareness about the fantastic School in a Bag charity.

It is a pleasure and a privilege to once again put together this newspaper for people to enjoy – especially having had to take an unexpected break from the annual festivities for three years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Those that know me will know that the Piers Simon Appeal and its School in a Bag initiative are very close to my heart. I was in the same year group as Piers at Preston School in Yeovil and his tragic death in the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004 while holidaying in Thailand at the age of 33 had a profound effect on me – it remains the most difficult and challenging story I’ve had to deal with in my now 30-year career in journalism.

I’ve been a big supporter of the charity’s work ever since it was first formed soon after the terrible events of Christmas 2004 and I will continue to do what I can to help spread the word of the tremendous work it does around the globe where a simple rucksack packed with everyday items for school can make such a huge difference to a young child’s life.

I hope you enjoy the 2022 edition of Home

Farm Fest Press and that everyone who attends this year’s festival, running from June 10-12, has a fantastic time.

I would like to thank the various outlets who have agreed to take copies of the Home Farm Fest Press which can be picked-up for free by people and to James Healey, of JRH Media, for his fantastic help with design and layout. A huge thank you once again to all the advertisers in this year’s edition – your support really is appreciated. Also special thanks to freelance photographer Christine Jones for all her photos, hard work, enthusiasm and encouragement.

The Home Farm Fest 2017 edition was the first newspaper I published independently since going freelance in 2013.

Since then I have produced a number of special one-off Carnival publications in Chard and Ilminster, while a monthly Ilminster Press community newspaper has just reached its four-year anniversary. In July 2018 I launched a Yeovil Press community newspaper – free for people to pick-up – and it went monthly as of January 2019.

From small seeds grow big trees and just as Home Farm Fest has grown over the years – my independent newspaper publishing ventures have also grown and it all started with School in a Bag and its main fundraising event of the year.

I am truly thankful to everyone at School in a Bag for giving me the “push” I needed.

NEWS IN BRIEF >> IF any business would like to advertise in the 2023 edition of the Home Farm Fest Press – please get in touch by emailing yeovilpress@gmail. com or by phoning 0777-319-8081.

It would be great to make the next edition even bigger and better again.

I would like to express my huge thanks to all the team at School in a Bag and Home Farm Fest – especially Luke Simon and Zoe Fox – for the tremendous efforts they put in to make the charity and festival such a success.

The next edition of Yeovil Press will be out on July 7 – with plenty of photos from this year’s Home Farm Fest. So please get in touch with any events you would like covered and featured in the paper or send us your news, views and photos to me at yeovilpress@ gmail.com .

Best wishes STEVE SOWDEN Editor

>>PHOTOS from the 2022 Home Farm Fest, being staged at Home Farm in Chilthorne Domer from June 10-12, will be appearing on the Yeovil Press website – www.yeovilpress. co.uk Anyone wanting to buy photos from this year’s festival – please drop us a line at 0777-319-8081 or email yeovilpress@ gmail.com. >>KEEP up-to-date with the latest news from the School in a Bag charity by logging onto the Yeovil Press website at www. yeovilpress.co.uk. >> A PHOTOGRAPHIC review of Home Farm Fest 2022 will be appearing in the July edition of the FREE Yeovil Press community newspaper – out on July 7 available from various outlets in and around Yeovil. >> HOME Farm Fest Press is published

by Steve Sowden, of Yeovil Press, and printed by Newsquest at Fleet House in Hampshire Road, Weymouth, Dorset.

What's in your

Home Farm Fest 2022 Pg 04-06: Remembering Piers Simon Pg 08-11: Photo Special - Home Farm Fest 2019 Pg 15-26: Home Farm Fest 2022 Preview Pg 18-19: Ten Tent Chat with Luke Simon Pg 20-21: Home Farm Fest 2019 Line-Up Pg 22-25: Bands and Musicians Biogs Pg 26: My Top Top Ten Pg 28-32: Support for Ukraine Pg 36-37: BagYard Ultra Pg 38: Yeovil Half Marathon Brought to you in association with www.yeovilpress.co.uk

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Piers would be so proud of the School in a Bag charity IT is now nearly 18 years since the world momentarily stood still as the horrific and devastating effects of the Asian Boxing Day tsunami of 2004 began to unfold, writes HFF Press editor Steve Sowden, of Yeovil Press.

But for many, the memories of that catastrophic time will still be fresh and as vivid as if they had only happened last week.

My memories are nothing in comparison to those who were actually caught up in the natural disaster or for those who had loved ones who perished, but for me it will always be one of those occasions when you remember “what you were doing and where you were” when you heard the news.

Initially I have to admit I did not take much notice when the first early reports began to filter through of another earthquake on the other side of world.

It was not until the evening of December 28, a couple of days after the tsunami had struck on Boxing Day, that the events of Asia came and hit me straight between the eyes. I was on my

way home after covering Yeovil Town FC’s win at Cambridge United for a local newspaper and had stopped off at a motorway service station for something to eat and it was then that that moment happened when you remember of “what you were doing and where you were” when you heard the news.

While in a café waiting for my meal to arrive I picked up a newspaper and

opened it up and there staring back at me was a large photo of my old Preston School classmate and school cricket team colleague Piers Simon – he had been on holiday in Thailand with his brother Luke and some friends and was missing as a result of the tsunami.

As I made the return journey home to Yeovil I let my editor know that we had a “local link” to the tsunami and the next morning I arranged to go and see Piers’ parents, Henry and Celia, at Home Farm in Chilthorne Domer.

Meeting Henry and Celia during that week was something else I will always remember. They seemed so calm and matter-of-fact on the surface and yet, underneath, I am sure they must have been kicking and screaming and panicking and fearful for Piers; clinging to every hope with desperation that he may have survived.

I remember having a constant stream of phone calls at work from people – including many old school friends who I had not spoken to for years – getting in touch enquiring as to whether there was any news and for me to pass on my regards to the Simon family.

It was a few days later on New Year’s Eve that I was still having phone calls from people and I was telling them that the search was over and Piers’ body had been found. I was telling them the news

Brotherly love – Luke (left) and Piers Simon.

that nobody wanted to hear.

When it was announced that the family was going to set up the Piers Simon Appeal, I knew immediately it was something I wanted to support; something I felt I needed to support.

Out of the huge tragedy of the tsunami has come something positive and the PSA and its School in a Bag initiative has brought smiles to underprivileged children around the globe - something which everyone associated with the charity should be so immensely proud.

I’m sure Piers is looking down with that broad grin of his and shares in that pride.

Remembering Piers Simon and Boxing Day tsunami

Website Design Design and Branding Social Media Management Printing Photography and Video Marketing james@jrhmedia.co.uk 0330 133 4284 www.jrhmedia.co.uk 4

Flashback to late December 2004 when Luke Simon pins a photo of his brother to a noticeboard on the Thai island of Koh Phi Phi in the immediate aftermath of the Boxing Day Asian Tsunami.

THE chief executive of the School in a Bag charity, Luke Simon, and his parents featured in a TV series looking back at the horrific Asian Tsunami of Boxing Day 2004.

The Channel 5 series Tsunami was held on three successive nights in August 2021 and looked at the impact, destruction and devastation the giant waves caused when they struck on that fateful day.

Among the 250,000 people killed was Piers Simon, 33, a former Preston School and Yeovil College student, who had been holidaying in Thailand with his brother Luke and a few friends.

The three-part TV series was put together by Voltage TV and presented by Dr Xander van Tulleken who visited Luke and his parents, Henry and Celia, at the

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family home in Chilthorne Domer.

Luke’s story was one of several from tsunami survivors included in the series as they talked about the horrendous natural disaster of 17 years ago.

While Luke and his friends were doing all they could to find Piers in the days following the tsunami, Henry and Celia were back at home in Somerset waiting for news.

Piers’ body was eventually found on New Year’s Eve 2004 in a makeshift morgue.

But out of grief came hope as the family launched the Piers Simon Appeal and then the School in a Bag initiative which supports thousands of children around the globe.

Thailand suffered devastating losses and destruction in the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004.

Treat every day as if it's yer last - 'cos one day you'll be bloody right IF there was one message that I have carried with me from the memorial service held for Asian Tsunami victim Piers Simon back in January 2005 – was the poignant words of Cornish comedian Jethro (writes Steve Sowden).

Piers’ brother Luke told the massed throng of people who had gathered for the memorial service at Forde Abbey near Chard that the family were big fans of the comedian.

“It was Piers who was the first in our family to discover the great Cornish comedian Jethro,” said Luke.

“I remember fondly him reciting how, while listening to him in the car, he had to pull over and stop as he was laughing so hard.

“Jethro has a poignant saying relevant to now. He says: ‘Treat every day as if it’s yer last - ‘cos one day you’ll be bloody right.’

“Piers’ leaving us so early is a testament to that saying and a sharp reminder that

we must cherish every single day in the same way as Piers did.

“So if there is something that that you have been meaning to do and haven’t got around to doing it, don’t put it off any longer. And, when you have completed the task, smile and think of Piers smiling back at you for he will be happy and therefore so should you.”

Luke said at the memorial service that Piers had been his ‘very own guardian angel’ and his ‘role model’ during so many happy times together.

And although there was three years age difference between 33-year-old Piers and his younger brother, they were regarded virtually as twins by many as they shared the same interests and friends.

“Not planned by any degree, we would often meet up during a university holiday and discover we had purchased the same shirt or music album,” he said.

“Our bond extended past the superficial external elements deep into our internal psyches.

“Rather spookily, when we met up in Goa, India, on our travels after almost 11 months apart we found we were reading the same book and were almost on the same page.”

Although there were sombre moments of reflection throughout the hour-long memorial service for Piers held on January 18, 2005, there was plenty of laughter as people looked back on a life lived to the full, but one taken far too young.

Other moving tributes were paid by former Preston School sports teacher John Flatters who described Piers as an ‘outstanding young sportsman’ and someone who he would never forget and was privileged to teach.

Internationally-renowned garden designer, Simon Johnson, of Middle Chinnock, who gave Piers his first chance as a landscape gardener, gave a personal and moving tribute to the ‘conscientious hard-worker’ who made friends with whoever he was with while working

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Cornish comedian Jethro – full name Geoffrey McIntyre Rowe – died on December 14, 2021, at the age of 73.

abroad.

Family friend Drew Snead read the Alfred Lord Tennyson poem Crossing the Bar, while Piers’ cousin, Louise White, sang a version of Wind Beneath My Wings during the service.

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Out of the tragedy and devastation has come hope for the future FORMER Preston School and Yeovil College student Piers Simon was tragically killed in the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 26, 2004, while holidaying on the island of Koh Phi Phi in Thailand with his brother Luke and three friends.

Luke spent five days conducting the search for his brother along with help from family, friends and the media until they finally found Piers on New Year’s Eve 2004.

Following a private funeral the Piers Simon Appeal was launched during Piers’ memorial service, held at Forde Abbey near Chard, Somerset, on January 18, 2005, and charity status was granted by the Charity Commission four months later on May 18.

The School in a Bag initiative grew out of the PSA a few years later and has gone on to become an amazing success and helped thousands of children around the world.

A SchoolBag costs just £20 and each one sent out to a child somewhere in the

world will contain the contents shown in the photograph.

The actual rucksack includes mesh water bottle holders on each side and a reflective strip so children are visible in the dark.

Many of the children receiving schoolbags walk long distances to get to and home from school and often this involves them being out in the dark. The reflective strip is vital as it enables night drivers to see them.

The schoolbag comes with a 500ml drinks bottle with lid; a pencil case with ten biros (four black, four blue and two red), a maths set containing set squares, a protractor, 15cms ruler, compass and pencil, sharpener and eraser; a pack of 12 pencils with erasers on the top; a 30cms transparent non-shatter ruler; and a lunchbox and spork with bowl and plate.

If you would like to support School in a Bag - please email luke.simon@ schoolinabag.org .

Luke Simon, the chief executive of

School in a Bag, said: “Globally, there are millions of children who are deprived of an opportunity to learn.

“On an individual basis, a SchoolBag for these children can provide vastly improved learning capabilities, hope and a lifeline to a future out of poverty.

“On a world scale, educating the next generation is a key force to human development and global stability.”

That is why your support is so vital in allowing School in a Bag to continue its work and the Home Farm Fest is the charity’s biggest fundraiser – so if you

For more details go to - www.homefarmfest.co.uk 6

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can come along and enjoy the fun, please see ticket details below.

To date 130,115 SchoolBags have been distributed around the globe to children in 51 nations. It is a remarkable achievement – but there is still so much work to be done.

Out of the tragedy and devastation of the Asian Tsunami of Boxing Day 2004 has come hope for the future.

And we will always remember Piers.

RIP Piers Simon: May 28, 1971, December 26, 2004.

Tsunami victim Piers Simon remembered on what would have been his 50th birthday THE School in a Bag charity has thanked everyone who supported an online appeal to celebrate what would have been the 50th birthday of a former Preston School and Yeovil College student.

Piers Simon, of Chilthorne Domer, was one of the thousands of people killed in the Asian Tsunami which struck on Boxing Day 2004. He was 33.

From his death came the Piers Simon Appeal and then the subsequent School in a Bag initiative which has helped to keep his name alive.

Thousands of schoolbags – containing pens, pencils and other everyday school necessities – have been distributed around the globe thanks to the work of the School in a Bag organisation headed

by Piers’ brother Luke.

Piers Simon would have been 50 on May 28, 2021.

May 28, 2021, would have been Piers’ 50th birthday and an online fundraising page was set-up for people to make donations in memory of him.

Piers Simon (left) as a schoolboy with his younger brother Luke.

Students at Preston School held a Fifty4Fifty fundraising day and raised around £1,200 for School in a Bag.

School in a Bag duo on the run to celebrate Piers' life SCHOOL in a Bag charity founder Luke Simon and SIAB trustee David Hutchinson took part in a 50-mile trail run.

It was held on September 19 last year as part of the charity’s 50 for 50 initiative and the run started at Steart on the North Somerset coast, followed the River Parrett and Taunton Canal through Ilminster, Chard and finally, after some rather steep climbs, ended up in Lyme Regis where the duo were met by supporters, family and friends.

School in a Bag was created as part of the Piers Simon Appeal which was formed following the death of Piers, a former Preston School and Yeovil College students, in the Asian Boxing Day tsunami of 2004. The charity provides schoolbags packed with everyday school equipment and eating utensils to under-privileged children around the globe.

With the help of some very generous sponsorship the runners raised enough to fund 50 SchoolBags - a fitting adventure to celebrate the life of Piers Simon who would have turned 50 in 2021.

David said: “Navigation was tough at times with most of the route following footpaths and bridleways but with the sea in front at all times the end destination would always be on the horizon – the final distance covered was 54 miles in just under 13 hours!”

PHOTO: David Hutchinson and Luke Simon at Lyme Regis following the end of their 54-mile run.

The appeal had initially been set a target of £1,000, but just over £3,039 was raised – enough to fund 151 SchoolBags.

“We would like to thank everyone who donated – it is fantastic,” said a spokesman for the School in a Bag charity.

The first consignment of SchoolBags was sent out to Swaziland in 2012 in collaboration with the Cornish charity Shelterbox.

Luke and his parents, Henry and Celia, went to Swaziland to help distribute the 32,000 bags to the children as part of the Piers Simon Appeal and said that “losing Piers changed their lives for the first time, but seeing all the children with SchoolBags with Piers’ name on, changed it for the second time.”

“So it was that trip which changed the course of the charity,” said the spokesman. “From a disaster-relief focus to Luke and his parents seeing just how needed and important the school bags and contents were.

“It was after this trip that the focus of the PSA changed and why we’re where we are today - and to date over 122,000 SchoolBags have been distributed!

“We continue to strive to give as many underprivileged children as we can the chance of an education, and will continue to do this. These children are the future and we want theirs, wherever they are in the world, to be as bright as possible.”

Other events have been held to mark what would have Piers’ 50th birthday – including the Fifty4Fifty Challenge which invited people to raise money based around the number 50.

School in a Bag supporter Jennifer Harrison Bailey made 49 squares from knitting and crocheting and then put them all together to make a big 50th “square” and held a raffle to raise funds for School in a Bag. Jennifer is pictured here with the blanket and School in a Bag chief executive Luke Simon.

Students at Stanchester Academy in Stoke-sub-Hamdon donated enough to fund 44 SchoolBags.

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THE LAST TIME WE MET - A LOOK BACK TO HOME FARM FEST 2019

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THE LAST TIME WE MET - A LOOK BACK TO HOME FARM FEST 2019

Rock band Reef brought the curtain down on the festival in 2019 WHEN the 2019 Home Farm Fest music extravaganza at Chilthorne Domer in aid of the School in a Bag charity closed with a memorable performance from rock band Reef nobody realised that the festival would be put on hold for three years.

That festival of three years ago was another huge success for the organisers.

And although the rain poured down and the sun shone brightly over the weekend of June 7-9, 2019, – whatever the weather, the festival crowds partied.

There were bands aplenty and lots of other things for people to do and enjoy across the festival site.

A Home Farm Fest spokesman said: “What an incredible three days it was. Thank you to all the performers, volunteers, helpers and festival-goers

who made it all possible.”

The festival closed on the evening of June 9 with an amazing performance by rock band Reef on the main Domer Stage.

This was not the first time Reef had supported the School in a Bag charity.

Back in December 2016 charity workers were given permission to hold a bucket collection at a Reef concert in the band’s home town of Glastonbury.

Here on Pages 8-11 we take a pictorial look back at the festival of 2019 with photos courtesy of Yeovil Press photographer Christine Jones.

People will see Christine at this year’s festival – so please smile for the camera!

Photos from the 2022 Home Farm Fest will appear in the July edition of Yeovil Press – available in various outlets in Yeovil from July 7.

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THE LAST TIME WE MET - A LOOK BACK TO HOME FARM FEST 2019

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THE LAST TIME WE MET - A LOOK BACK TO HOME FARM FEST 2019

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Every little helps as Tesco Extra in Yeovil supports School in a Bag charity THE School in a Bag charity has thanked everyone at the Tesco Extra store in Yeovil for their support during a fabulous day of fundraising.

The charity – based at Chilthorne Domer – normally does a marathon bag pack on a busy Christmas shopping day, but that had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 safety.

But, nevertheless, the Tesco store was delighted to support School in a Bag with a day of fundraising on December 23, 2021.

Luke Simon, chief executive of School in a Bag, said that the actual collection was £1,442.94.

“A huge thank you to all the staff and customers of the store who put up with us from 6am until 5pm on their busiest day and, of course, all those who donated to our cause,” he said.

“We, also, of course, had the addition of

a £577.10 donation from the store staff presented to us whilst we were there, so the day brought in over £2,000!”

And Luke added: “The Tesco saying ‘every little helps’ really does ring true and the team at our local store in Yeovil has once again been an amazing asset to School in a Bag with its help and fundraising.”

The School in a Bag initiative came from the Piers Simon Appeal which was launched in 2005 after Piers, a former Preston School and Yeovil College student, was killed in the horrific Indian Ocean Tsunami which struck on Boxing Day in 2004.

Piers was just 33 when he was killed while holidaying in Thailand and his family decided to make sure that his name lived on with their charitable work which has supported thousands of people around the globe.

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Each SchoolBag is filled with stationery equipment and resources that will enable a child to write, draw, colour, calculate, express themselves and above all learn.

And each bag delivered to a child will give hope to his or her future and has the potential to transform their lives.

The Tesco Extra store in Yeovil is one of the biggest distributors of the free Yeovil Press community newspaper each month which also produces the Home Farm Fest Press.

It is hoped that the Big Marathon Bag Pack at Tesco Extra will return this Christmas.

News, leisure, features and sport from in and around Yeovil Photos from this year’s Home Farm Fest will be included in July 2022 edition of Yeovil Press. Out on July 7, 2022 Pick-up a copy for FREE from all the usual outlets Email: yeovilpress@gmail.com Website: www.yeovilpress.co.uk Phone: 0777-319-8081 12

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School in a Bag charity supports Afghan refugee children in the UK THE School in a Bag charity launched an appeal last year to fund SchoolBags for 3,000 Afghan refugee children who have arrived in the UK. SIAB has been working with partners Afghanistan and Central Asia Association (ACAA) founded by Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi who himself, arrived in the UK in 2001 by lorry, stowed in the back of a refrigerator container having fled the atrocities taking place in his own country.

Within two years of integrating his family in to a new life in the UK, Dr Nasimi set up the ACAA to provide community based, first-hand knowledge and information for families to help them overcome the challenges he faced during the resettlement process.

Since the Taliban regained control of

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Afghanistan last summer, the ACAA has become the first contact point for the government, media and the 8,000 newlyarrived Afghan people making them extremely busy with unprecedented levels of demand.

The ACAA listed enrolling the children in to school as a priority to get them in the education system as quickly as possible to provide the them with routine and a safe, stable environment to learn in.

Dr Nasimi explained: “Arriving in a new country and going to a new school with a different language is a daunting experience for any child. It is vital that we make this process as easy as possible.

This however, is a challenge when families have arrived in to the UK with only what they could carry.

“A SchoolBag for these children will be a huge asset to help them with their studies and normalise their integration into a new learning environment. A SchoolBag will also be a huge financial help to the families as this will be one less item that they need to provide for their children.”

He added: “We are delighted to be partnering with School in a Bag and have identified a need for 3,000 SchoolBags!

We know that this is a big request for their small team. We will, of course, work in collaboration with them and oversee getting the SchoolBags to each and every child.”

Luke Simon, founder and chief executive of School in a Bag, said: “We received a desperate email from Dr

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Nasimi explaining how overrun the ACAA had become with the influx of Afghan nationals and that they needed volunteers and funds.

“I explained that we were not in a position to fulfil their requests but could offer SchoolBags. My reply went on to say that if the need was for more than a few hundred, we would have to create an appeal. When the very prompt reply asked for 3,000 SchoolBags, we knew we had to spring in to action!”

He added: “This is a gigantic consignment for us so we have approached our suppliers to ask if they are able to help out. It is a crisis situation and we are striving to get SchoolBags to the refugee children as quickly as we can to help ease the burden on the families and help make their integration in to school as smooth as possible.”

All the money raised has gone towards funding SchoolBags. Donors have been credited under the title ‘Afghan Refugee Appeal’ on the School in a Bag database, meaning that all the contributors will be able to claim stake to the collective total of SchoolBags funded.

To help us fund SchoolBags for the Afghan refugee children here in the UK, please donate at: www.crowdfunder. co.uk/siab-afghan-refugee-appeal .

For all the latest news, sport and leisure from the Yeovil and surrounding area – pick up you FREE copy of the monthly newspaper from various outlets in and around Yeovil. yeovilpress@gmail.coma

C h i l t h o r n e D o m e r, S o m e s e t | J u n e 1 0 - 1 2 , 2 0 2 2 12-PAGE PREVIEW – IN ASSOCIATION WITH SCHOOL IN A BAG AND YEOVIL PRESS COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER WWW.YEOVILPRESS.CO.UK – YEOVILPRESS@GMAIL.COM

PROFILES OF ALL THE BANDS AND SINGERS AT THE FESTIVAL << 2225 PLUS TEA TENT CHAT WITH LUKE SIMON << 1819 FUNLOVING FESTIVALGOERS SHOW OFF THE 2019 HOME FARM FEST PRESS  THE LAST TIME THE FESTIVAL WAS HELD TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE SCHOOL IN A BAG CHARITY. NOBODY BACK THEN REALISED THAT IT WOULD BE THE LAST FESTIVAL FOR THREE YEARS BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC. PHOTO: CHRISTINE JONES.

INSIDE

ALL THE PERFORMERS AND TIMES FOR THE THE DOMER STAGE THE DUTCH BARN THE LLOYD LOUNGE Festival back in business after three years away - let's party!

THE FOLKROOM THE JUGLANS SUMMER ANTIX CLUB ROUGE AVANT GARDE SIXTEEN years ago the first Piers Simon Concert took place at the charity headquarters at Home Farm in Chilthorne Domer near Yeovil.

With one stage, three bands and a few hundred people dancing and drinking a Saturday night away in 2006, it raised £8,500 for the charity and so the next year it was on again with a few more bands.

Skip forward to 2022 and this is what is going on this year at the Home Farm Fest.

The music festival has grown somewhat substantially and is now a three-day event with nearly ten stages, over 150 performance slots, a large children’s area, a market area, world food stalls, charity-run bars, silent discos, children’s discos, a climbing wall, a funfair including a big wheel and lots of other attractions!

There is also a Wild Play and Wellness Area that are both new for next year), silent discos,

children’s discos, children’s cinema, a new HFF Run and lots more besides! It’s a great family festival, perfect for first timers and festival pros alike!

It really is a three-day party with every single penny made from it going back into School in a Bag and so far the festivals have raised over £477,000!

Now after a three-year break because of the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Home Farm Fest is back and will be looking forward to smashing through the festival’s £500,000 barrier – a fantastic achievement.

School in a Bag chief executive Luke Simon said: “Our Friday night is a little different and we encourage that people come along in your ‘Posh Wears & Wellies’ to dance the night away and start the weekend off in fine style!

It’s great fun so join us if you fancy but it’s by no means compulsory – just don’t be surprised if you see people in their wellies and fineries!

“Grab your tent, or pack your caravan and come and join us for a weekend of fun, whatever your age! There are day tickets available too if you can’t make all of it, but whatever ticket you buy, you will be helping support our charity and getting SchoolBags filled with stationery and eating utensils to children around the world who are deprived of an education.

All we ask - apart from having lots of fun is that you please keep the farm tidy, recycle your rubbish in the correct bins, respect our neighbours and support our charity-run bars and the food vendors we have on-site.”

The festival will close at 8pm on the Sunday (June 12). At 4pm only The Domer stage will remain open for the last few bands while the other stages will close.

Fantastic Oasis tribute band Oas-is has been handed the final headline act of the festival which will run from 6.45pm to 8pm.

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“The mane thing is you’re financially stable” ENJOY TODAY, PLAN FOR TOMORROW Contact the team on 01460 259066 www.mandersfinancialservices.co.uk

PROUD SPONSORS OF THE DARK HORSE BAR HOME FARM FEST 2022 Manders Financial Services Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

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TEA TENT CHAT

35 questions in 60 seconds WE are delighted to welcome the founder and chief executive officer of the School in a Bag charity, LUKE SIMON, to the Tea Tent Chat feature.

We have renamed the usual feature, Coffee Break Chat, which appears in the Yeovil Press newspaper each month to Tea Tent Chat in honour of the tea tents which are dotted around the Home Farm Fest site.

So why not take a few moments to read this feature and find out some interesting facts about Luke while you enjoy a wellearned cuppa and a slice of cake!

Each month we pose 35 questions to a member of the local community and they will give their truthful and honest answers about their likes and dislikes, hopes and aspirations and childhood memories.

It is all a bit of fun, but might provide some interesting and discussionprovoking questions for readers.

PHOTO: Luke Simon.

Dukes of Hazzard – an American action-comedy television series which aired from 1979 to 1985. Turn to Question 9.

1: Name: Luke Simon

14: What is your favourite drink? Decaf Tea

2: Occupation or associated with: Founder and CEO of School in a Bag

15: What is your favourite film? Jaws

3: Live: Home Farm, Chilthorne Domer 4: Places of education: Chilthorne Domer Primary School, Preston Academy, Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education.

5: Who was/were your best pal/pals at school? Tim Holt, John Ryrie, Adie Kirby, Shaun Shortland 6: Your favourite teacher? Mr Flatters.

American actor Matt Damon. Turn to Question 27.

British Olympic middle-distance running star Sebastian Coe who won the 1,500 metres gold medal at the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games. Turn to Question 10.

7: What is your proudest moment? The birth of my children.

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18: What was the first record you ever bought? Bolero by Ravel (talked in to it by Dad!) 19: What is something you’ve never tried but want to? Paragliding 20: What is your favourite sport? Trail running 21: What is your favourite sporting moment? England winning the Rugby World Cup in 2003

9: What was your favourite TV programme as a child? The Dukes of Hazzard

22: What is your favourite football team?

Arsenal

10: Who was your childhood hero? Seb Coe

23: What is your favourite destination? Isles of Scilly

12: What is the one thing you cannot resist? Dairy Milk Chocolate Bolero – a one-movement orchestral piece by Maurice Ravel which premiered in 1928. Turn to Question 18.

17: Who is your favourite singer? Anthony Kiedis

8: What is your favourite meal? Ben’s Cookies

11: What’s the one thing you couldn’t live without? Humour

Trail running is a sport activity which combines running and, where there are steep gradients, hiking. Turn to Question 20.

16: What is your favourite band or pop group? Coldplay

13: What is your greatest fear? Going blind

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holiday

24: Do you believe in ghosts? Yes 25: Do you collect anything? Running shoes!

26: If you won the National Lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Pay off my friend’s mortgages

27: If a film was made about you – what actor would you want to play you? Matt Damon 28: If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Leonardo Da Vinci 29: What TV programme can you not miss?

Wimbledon 30: Which three traits define you? Silly, Repetitive, Repetitive

31: What is the best book you have ever read? Jilly Cooper - Polo 32: If you could do anything for the rest of your life what would that be? Run 33: If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be? Nepal 34: When you were little, what did you want to be? Cricketer 35: What’s the best (clean) joke you’ve ever heard? Why did the baker have brown hands? Because he kneaded a poo!

The Invincibles of Arsenal in 2003-04. Turn to Question 22.

British rock band Coldplay. Turn to Question 16.

Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia and mainly situated in the Himalalyas. Turn to Question 33.

Our Services:

England win the Rugby Union World Cup in 2003. Turn to Question 21.

Event Sound Event Lighting Event Management Staging Temporary Power

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The Isles of Scilly lie just off the coast of Cornwall. Turn to Question 23.

Contact us for a free quote, We’ll be happy to help

07816 454 565 www.gslevents.co.uk office@GSLEvents.co.uk

Jaws – a 1975 American thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg. Turn to Question 15.

Leonardo da Vinci - an Italian painter, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor and architect who lived from 1452 to 1519. Turn to Question 28.

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Proud Supporters of School in a Bag 19

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Saturday, June 11, 10.20pm: A blend of pop/dance keyboard led euphoric music for those appreciating honest and quality music – they will headline The Domer stage on Saturday night and will get the place buzzing!

BAND PROFILES: Find out more about some of the amazing bands and musicians who will be playing over the Home Farm Fest weekend of June 10-12. Festivalgoers really will be spoilt for choice!

THE DOMER STAGE Apherium Saturday, June 11, 6pm: We’re excited to welcome Apherium, who have reunited for one last show after five years away. Combining elements of rock, post-hardcore and metal, the band’s dynamic sound that will get your fist pumping and your head banging!

Break Beat Bandits Sunday, June 12, 4.20pm: Break Beat Bandits are a band like no other! Featuring close to 20 artists, half of which play the drums, this samba fusion band will reintroduce you to dance hits from the 90s and 00s in a way you’ve never heard them before!

Classic Rock Revival Friday, June 10, 9pm: Relive the glory days of classic rock from the 60s, 70s and 80s brought to you by a full 8-piece band in a spectacular live show. Performing hits from genredefining artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many more.

Dirty Blueprint Saturday, June 11, 7pm: Dirty Blueprint pack a punch! With an indie blues sound that draws on influences including The Black Keys and Home Farm favourites Reef, the band always deliver in their powerful, committed performances.

FairPlay Band Saturday, June 11, 5pm: FairPlay Band have been filling the dancefloors at functions across the South West for over 20 years. A rare public performance is a great opportunity to see the band do what they do best: get you on your feet and dancing.

Filta

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Jamie Witt Saturday, June 11, 11am: Twice shortlisted as one of the Top 10 artists in the prestigious Guitarist Of The Year competition, and joined by a stellar line up of musicians, Jamie Witt promises audiences an energetic showcase and incredible musicianship.

The Busketeers Sunday, June 12, 11.20am: A band like no other, The Busketeers are four singer-songwriting, multiinstrumentalists. Swapping instruments, harmonising and spanning genres, expect a raw, energetic, and diverse show.

The Haus Band Friday, June 10, 10.20pm: With a brand new 80s show to share with the Home Farm crowds, look out for the biggest hits from the most iconic era of music ever written. Look forward to songs by Queen, The Weather Girls, Michael Jackson and more!

Jamie Yost Sunday, June 12, 3.20pm: Singer-songwriter Jamie Yost joins us ahead of the release of his second EP with a sound that blends folk, alt-pop and soul. A growing name on the scene, Jamie’s soothing music is the perfect balm for the tail end of a busy weekend!

Thought Control Sunday, June 12, 5.30pm: Thought Control’s Pink Floyd tribute show is filled with experienced musicians from across the South-West. They excel in recreating the songs, sounds, and spectacle that the Floyd are renowned for to this day.

John Dhali Saturday, June 11, 2pm: John Dhali combines prophetic lyrics, a soaring vocal and a mesmeric stage presence to create musical medicine for the soul. His music - as heard on BBC Radio 1 and 2 - recalls Jeff Buckley, with touches of The Lumineers.

Tidal Rave Saturday, June 11, 7pm: Get ready for a fluorescent, highly energetic, and fourth-wall-breaking live performance of catchy synthrock-pop that you can shamelessly dance to!

Kindred Saturday, June 11, 1pm: Kindred are a fun six-piece band from Somerset playing original folk rock with a twang of country, and a few well-picked covers mixed into the set.

Oas-is Sunday, June 12, 6.40pm: Definitely (not Maybe) possibly one of the best Oasis tribute in the world!

Snakebyte Friday, June 10, 10pm: Welcome to the party! The bad boys of rock n roll have arrived so expect nothing but a good time with a performance packed with the biggest rock anthems from the 80’s, including hits from Bon Jovi, Journey, Poison, Guns n Roses and more!

Stellar Fox Friday, June 10, 8pm: Stellar Föx’s whiskey-fuelled rock n roll in cowboy boots will blow you away and knock you back onto the Home Farm grass.

Talk in Code Sunday, June 12, 2.20pm: Talk In Code’s danceable ‘Pet Shop Boys meets The 1975’ sound has seen them support the likes of Years & Years, Embrace, Howard Jones, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Toploader, Scouting for Girls and even 10cc - an eclectic mix!

Tom & The Clementynes Saturday, June 11, 12.40pm: Tom Clements, master of the loop pedal, has appeared on BBC Wiltshire’s Live Lounge and opened shows for the likes of The Wurzels and Toploader. He’ll be spoiling us with a covers set in which he’ll be joined by The Clementynes.

Verdis Sunday, June 12, 1.20pm: A spirit-lifting cocktail of reggae, blues and soul with a liberal splash of feelgood, festival funk. Frequently touring across the UK & Europe, they’ve supported Toploader, played Glastonbury, and are set to take Home Farm by storm.

Webb Sunday, June 12, 12.20pm: A three-piece from the South-West England, WEBB’s heavy rock sound found release in the debut EP, Disenchanted, which came out last August. Come discover the band’s distinct sound on The Domer this Sunday.

Wilson Saturday, June 11, 4pm: Wilson is an acoustic blues guitarist and singer-songwriter from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. With strong vocals and foot stomping originals you won’t want to miss this set.

THE DUTCH BARN Big Whiskey Saturday, June 11, 6.10pm: Classic covers sung in gorgeous harmony.

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Brilliant acoustic guitar solos from experienced artists. Join Big Whiskey on a musical journey guaranteed to make you feel good and have fun.

Billy in the Lowground Sunday, June 12, 1pm: Fiddle-fuelled, hi-octane, all-original West Country Rock! Or as Rock’n’Reel magazine say: “This is Nashville relocated to the wilds of Somerset, and played with Joe Strummer’s heart and soul.”

Black River Sinners Saturday, June 11, 3.30pm: Black River Sinners are a toe-tapping, high-energy modern country band based in Somerset. Reforming for a one off performance at this year’s Home Farm Fest, they’re guaranteed to get you up dancing and yee-hawwwing!

Bluesoul Friday, June 10, 9.40pm: Bluesoul is a six-piece soul band from the South-West performing classic tracks from the late 60s together with a touch of Motown, a smattering of blues and some northern soul hits.

Change the Letter Saturday, June 11, 1.30pm: The Sound of Kernowfornia! Highly touted act from the heart of Cornwall.

Fusing American rock and country influence with British folk songwriting to craft honest, relatable and memorable songs.

Coyote Creed Sunday, June 11, 2.30pm: Southern country rock from South Wales.

Coyote Creed will give you a fantastic afternoon of their original rock/blues/ country style. Get ready to Go Down South and rock out at the front of the stage.

Electric Peach Saturday, June 11, 8.30pm: A high-energy 80s tribute band. With all the glamour, bright colours, and best bangers from your favourite artists of the decade. Bring your best moves and party with the Peach!

Fever Season Saturday, June 11, 12.30pm: Jay, Pad, Marti and Tom are Fever Season: an alt-rock band that started during a worldwide pandemic. Their dream is to leave their mark on the indie scene they grew up listening to, and inspire the next generation of indie heroes.

Greg Agar Saturday, June 11, 4.30pm: Piano man Greg Agar is an ARIAwinning producer and Oscar-shortlisted songwriter and performer from Australia.

He’ll be playing all your favourites this Saturday on The Dutch Barn stage!

Jack Humphries Friday, June 10, 8.40pm: Foot stomping alt-country/folk, with an added blend of covers with an original twist. Sing along, clap along, have a dance. Most importantly, leave your troubles at the gate.

Plastic Tramps are bringing back progressive rock with new clean-cut waistcoats and a face paint print that lasts!

Rude Awakening Friday, June 10, 7pm: Rude Awakening are a Somerset-based covers band with a big sound. Just come down to see them - you won’t regret it!

Joe Hardy Saturday, June 11, 7.30pm: Joe Hardy is a first-class live act who has been playing stages of all sizes for over 15 years, and is at home wherever he is performing, be it a church hall, a pub or a festival!

Jorden Lindsay Friday, June 10, 7.40pm: Combining acoustic guitar, live looping and big vocals to create high-energy, creative takes on well known covers, Jorden will also be playing his own infectious originals.

Lewis Poole Friday, June 10, 6.40pm: Lewis Poole is a modern rock and poprock songwriter. He and his band will be sharing music perfect for fans of The 1975, Against the Current and Blink-182!

Nevertheless Saturday, June 11, 4.30pm: Nevertheless are a four-piece band from the West Country. Their set will see brilliant covers and their own music, influenced by classic acts of the 60s and 70s, as well as blues, rock and a little jazz!

Fantastic band Filta will be headlining on The Domer stage on Saturday, June 11, from 10.20pm to 11.30pm. Photo: Christine Jones.

Break reached number 1 on the iTunes rock chart and 45 on the UK Official Rock Chart.

The Jamestown Brothers Saturday, June 11, 9.50pm: The Jamestown Brothers are a ninepiece indie folk band from Somerset.

Infectious songs and melodies ensure a foot-stomping night to remember. Fast becoming festival favourites, this bunch of musical rebels will not disappoint.

The Unblessed Sunday, June 12, 11am: A soul rock band with plenty of groove, feeling and vocal harmonies. Somewhere in the midpoint of Sam Cooke, David Bowie, Aretha Franklin and Bruce Springsteen.

THE LLOYD LOUNGE

Roy Peplow Sunday, June 12, 2pm: Roy has played HFF before and is very much a crowd pleaser. Adrenalin-fuelled vocals, upbeat guitar and foot-stomping feel good vibes.

Alfie Galpin Music Saturday, June 11, 12.30pm: Yeovil’s Alfie Galpin uses a loop station and an acoustic guitar to play popular songs and offer up a few of his own originals.

Sloetrain Sunday, June 12, 3.50pm: Bonamassa meets The Bluesbreakers, with a twist of early Fleetwood Mac. Add in a little Ainslie Lister and King King influence and you have a heady cocktail of contemporary blues that is aching to be played live.

Calibrate Saturday, June 11, 9.50pm: Four-piece hard rock covers/originals band with some serious talent, a huge sound and songs that will have the crowd going mental!

Craig and Alex Priddice Saturday, June 11, 2.30pm: Anthemic indie originals from the West Country brothers with powerhouse vocals and on-point harmonies. If you like Oasis and The Verve you need to see these guys!

Taylor T Sunday, June 12, 12.40pm: From the South-West coast to Byron Bay by way of New Zealand, Taylor T’s poetic approach to lyrical song writing has been well received globally. Come and see the irresistible sound that wins everyone over.

The Entitled Sons Friday, June 10, 6.30pm: Somerset’s The Entitled Sons are four teenage brothers, Billy (17, keyboards), Charlie (15, vocals), Rafferty (13, guitar) and Laurie (12, drums), with their father Graham playing bass. Their first single

Flashmob Saturday, June 11, 5.30pm: Flashmob have been jamming and gigging in clubs and pubs, at parties and festivals for the past 20 years. A passion for hard rock drives the band, who’ll offer up their own songs alongside covers of Pink Floyd, Foo Fighters, and more.

Graffiti Falls Saturday, June 11, 11.30am:

Graffiti Falls are an up-and-coming indie band from Yeovil with all original songs.

Guitarist on Wheels Saturday, June 11, 4.30pm: Usually found performing solo, Guitarist On Wheels is throwing a full band at us this year! A Home Farm stalwart, look out for original music spanning the rock and blues genre that’ll get you moving.

Hang 11 Friday, June 10, 9pm: Join Hang 11 for a banging playlist of top covers from 90s to yesterday! Sing, dance, and enjoy one of the best bands on the South-West circuit today.

Hello Hopeville Saturday, June 11, 5.30pm: A six-piece Americana and country blues band with a melodic and quite unique sound.

Hundred Days Friday, June 10, 10pm: Good heavy rock music made by a lasting friendship and a solid understanding of the craft of song writing, this is Hundred Days.

Hunny Buzz Saturday, June 11, 6.30pm: Hunny Buzz captures the duality of human nature perfectly in an indie-pop melancholy style.

Last One Home Sunday, June 12, 11am: With roots in 00s American poppunk, emo and alt-rock culture, Last One Home have crafted their own explosive combination of atmospheric electronic rock and modern, melodic pop sensibilities.

Mighty Sasquatch Saturday, June 11, 1.30pm: One of the UK’s premier party rock bands.

Come and mosh with Mighty Sasquatch playing rock classics from the 80s and 90s - guaranteed to rock your socks off!

Plastic Tramps Sunday, June 12, 1pm:

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Sam Westaway Sunday, June 12, 2pm: Acoustic artist Sam Westaway sings authentic, catchy, honest down-to-earth originals with a few popular covers to get everyone singing along.

Sembalance Saturday, June 11, 8.30pm: Techno space rock, spiced up with a touch of dub, goth, ambient, (and oddly, the occasional harmonica solo). Can you hear the colours yet? We can!

That Hidden Promise Saturday, June 11, 3.30pm: A maelstrom of guitar, live beats, synths and vocals guarantees a unique and exciting solo set from this eclectic solo act. Marking their live return at the festival, this is an early chance to catch songs from their forthcoming album!

The Ancestors Sunday, June 12, 12noon: The Ancestors are Yeovil’s top indie disco party band. Join us to dance and sing along to hits from the likes of Pulp, The Killers, Ed Sheeran, Swedish House Mafia, Stereophonics, David Guetta, Plan B, and many, many more!

The Borgias Friday, June 10, 8pm: A trio with an upbeat modern soundthat recalls Happy Mondays and Basement Jaxx. We’ve found beats to calm the seas.

The IOUs Sunday, June 12, 3pm: Filling dancefloors since 2012, The IOUs are one of the most popular rock/pop cover bands in the South West.

Toffees Saturday, June 11, 7.30pm: Toffees are a fast-rising young band playing club rock with big, heavy hooks.

They deliver fresh and exciting live performances featuring truly dynamic and soulful vocals fused with epic melodies and beats.

THE FOLKROOM A Different Thread Sunday, June 12 – 1pm: The Folkroom stage is about sharing the freshest finds from Folkroom’s gigs in London and Brighton, and it doesn’t get much fresher that A Different Thread, who stole the crowd’s hearts just a few

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Garfunkel, his lyrics share the duo’s deceptive lightness. Catchy melodies that you won’t soon forget.

Morning Tourist Saturday, June 11, 11am: Morning Tourist is London-based indie folk rock artist, Sean McKinney, whose debut EP ‘Quiet Lives’ fuses country tinged acoustics with fuzzy distortion, exploring political themes with lyrical introspection.

Nick Austin Sunday, June 12, 1pm: Nick Austin plays dark and dreamy psychedelic folk music. One of Folkroom’s newest discoveries, this is an unmissable set for fans of Elliott Smith, Nick Drake and Cat Power.

Snakebyte – pictured here at the Home Farm Fest in 2018 – will be appearing on The Domer stage on Friday, June 10, at 10pm. Photo: Christine Jones.

weeks ago with rich Americana-tinged folk.

Ben Walker Saturday, June 11 – 4pm: Recently hailed as one of ‘the best acoustic guitarists in the world right now’

by Total Guitar magazine, Ben Walker is a BBC Folk Award-winning musician.

His warm, whimsical and virtuosic solo guitar performances are always a delight.

Bird in the Belly Sunday, June 12, 3pm: One of the best live acts in folk, Brighton quartet Bird in the Belly offer up an atmospheric sound with distinctive, arresting songs rich with their trademark ‘folk noir’ and featuring singular vocals, strings and percussion.

Chris Riddell Sunday, June 12, 12noon: Chris Riddell is an award-winning illustrator, former Children’s Laureate, political cartoonist for The Observer, goto illustrator for Neil Gaiman, Michael Rosen and Phoebe Bridgers - the list goes on! As well as creating live illustrations to accompany every set across the Folkroom Stage this year, he’ll open the stage on Sunday with live drawing and a talk that the whole family will enjoy.

Daniel Duke Saturday, June 11, 5pm: A returning Home Farm favourite, Daniel Duke’s packed set after reaching the live finals in BBC’s The Voice remains one of the festival’s iconic moments!

He’s back and better than ever with his invigorating, life-affirming songs.

Fly Yeti Fly Saturday, June 11, 1pm: Blending gorgeous harmonies

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with

intricate guitar, mandolin and harmonica, Fly Yeti Fly’s warmth of spirit radiates from the stage with a sound that’s reminiscent of the late-60s folk scene.

Izzie Derry Sunday, June 12, 2pm: Described as ‘the love child of Laura Marling and Alanis Morissette’, Izzie’s empowering songs get better each time we hear them. Maybe that’s why she’s managed to support artists as diverse as Fairport Convention, Olly Murs and John Grant!

Jasmine Rodgers Saturday, June 11, 8pm: There’s warmth and darkness in equal measure throughout the music of Jasmine Rodgers. From her finger-picked guitar to her evocative songwriting, every part of her music is rich with intricate detail.

Kate Stapley Friday, June 10, 9pm: Possibly the most charming live act at this year’s festival, Kate Stapley matches her onstage charisma with stunning melodies and songs that fans of Laura Marling, Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens won’t be able to resist.

March Friday, June 10, 10pm: March may be headlining the Folkroom stage, but her music also takes in progrock and jazz influences. Her debut album ‘All of the Above’, out last year, has flecks of Joni Mitchell in its easy melodies and care-free vocal delivery.

Michael Garrett Saturday, June 11, 2pm: Michael’s music has always been an easy sell: with vocals that sit somewhere in the middle of Paul Simon and Art

for their Folkroom headline set too!

Winterfalle Saturday, June 11, 9pm: Sam Falle is a Home Farm regular for Folkroom, and with good reason - his powerful songs have big melodies pulled on by his rich, deep voice. What would happen if ABBA wrote for Nick Cave? Not this! But also… not NOT this.

THE JUGLANS Absolute Zero Sunday, June 12, 11am: Absolute Zero are a three-piece rock band with a combined age of 30! They are a force to be reckoned with so catch them now before they hit the big time!

Nick Edward Harris Saturday, June 11, 12noon: Beautiful music, mesmerising lyrics and a voice unlike anyone else - Nick Edward Harris is likely to offer up a set filled with gorgeous sounds, including his recent reinvention of Pixies’ most iconic song.

Becca Kate Sunday, June 12, 3pm: becca kate’s first song - only written during lockdown - was an immediate success, winning in the UK Songwriting Contest. Her music is highly melodic with thoughtful, poetic lyrics, marking becca out as a singer-songwriter to watch.

Roswell Saturday, June 11, 3pm: If you love gorgeous harmonies, Roswell are THE act to see at Home Farm this year. Touches of First Aid Kit and The Corrs abound in their lively songs. We’ve nabbed them over from Wimborne Folk Festival, we love them so much!

Brice Broom and Randall Unplugged Saturday, June 11, 7pm: Three Flashmob bandmembers come together to deliver a more laid back and gentle set than their usual fare. Expect a mix of originals, covers, and adaptations of favorite songs. Just right for a chilled Saturday evening at Home Farm!

Sincere Deceivers Friday, June 10, 8pm: A little bit Fleet Foxes, a little bit Elbow, there’s a lot to love about Sincere Deceivers. The three-piece return to Home Farm with warm, uplifting music that will ease you into the festival, and fill you up with a quiet joy.

Chloe Courtney Friday, June 10, 7.30pm: Soloist singer and keyboard player, playing hits from 80s to present day.

Sophie Fetokaki Saturday, June 11, 6pm: Expect one of the festival’s most unmissable moments in a set built around Sophie’s breathtaking vocals and acoustic warmth, drawing on eastern Mediterranean modal improvisation and folkloric traditions from far and wide. An act unlike any other.

The Lost Cavalry Saturday, June 11, 7pm: Folk pop at its finest - Mark West’s voice often recalls Snow Patrol, and their songs are just as rich and evocative with choruses that will get stuck in your head for the rest of the festival.

The People Versus Saturday, June 11, 10.20pm: One of the most exciting new acts around, The People Versus offer BIG POP FUN with hints of folk, dream pop and more. Spot them on The Domer, and we guarantee you’ll come track them down

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Dave Woan Saturday, June 11, 2pm: The Red Trousers are back at Home Farm!

Songs and stories from this well-known local songwriter, who will be promoting the launch of his long-awaited album Down Side Up. Harri Mason Saturday, June 11, 3pm: Soft rock singer-songwriter influenced by Fleetwood Mac and Bruce Springsteen, as heard on BBC Bristol. Harri will combine loop-pedal and guitar in her Juglans set!

Hillbilly Sunrise Saturday, June 11, 6pm: Offering up an eclectic, decade-spanning mix of pop and beyond, Hillbilly Sunrise bring a surprising amount of noise and a thumping beat!

Mel Muryn Friday, June 10, 6.30pm: Singer-songwriter and keyboardist Mel Muryn won Come Dine With Me when the show visited Yeovil! The dish he’ll be serving us is a melodic cross between country, indie and folk.

Mighty Dynamite Saturday, June 11, 8pm: Mighty Dynamite offer a joyful merging of musical styles. With their sideways look at life and love, getting feet dancing and faces smiling, they’re sure to be your new favourite band.

DJ of the Year is set to bring a high energy set to Home Farm Festival 2022!

Connor Watling Friday, June 10, 9.10pm: Influenced by the likes of Fatboy Slim, Mark Knight, and many other big beat magicians, Connor has a high-energy performance style and his productions reflect the taste of a man who has supported Dave Pearce, Chris Stark, Lethal Bizzle and more!

Millhouse Saturday, June 11, 1pm: Millhouse is a five-piece band from Somerset who love to play an eclectic mix of blues and rock, with a few other styles thrown in for good measure.

De Hornet Friday, June 10, 8pm: Paul Horne aka De Hornet has been a DJ for over 25 years. Passionate about his sets, De Hornet is over the moon to be back at Home Farm for a second time.

Moonshine Hillbillies Sunday, June 12, 2pm: Moonshine Hillbillies are a crazy trio of entertainers who put a hillbilly/rockabilly twist on everything from ‘Great Balls of Fire’ to ‘Sex on Fire’. A hot set, then!

Sarah Yeo Saturday, June 11, 12noon: The Devonian country-folk songwriter with a “silky smooth” voice, Sarah Yeo has been likened to the voices of Karen Carpenter, Trisha Yearwood and Andrea Corr. Jim Marshall, legendary founder of Marshall Amps, considered her his favourite singer!

Sophie Joanne Saturday, June 11, 5pm: Sophie Joanne plays mostly originals, sending out acoustic, whimsy-filled, lullaby-chill vibez to soothe your hangovers.

Strange Folk Sunday, June 12, 11am: There’s nothing strange about this band of three guys and one girl, or their music - folk/rock with a gothic twist.

The Bad Cowboys Friday, June 10, 9.30pm: The Bad Cowboys combine close harmonies with catchy tunes that are full of poignant and satirical lyrics. Expect them to take on such diverse topics as 80s nostalgia, bin day, the local bus route, and wasps!

The Happy Pluckers Saturday, June 11, 11am: The Happy Pluckers come together for two reasons: fun, and charity. A perfect Home Farm act then, playing an eclectic mix of music!

The Homing Saturday, June 11, 4pm: Original indie folk with twin female vocals, drawing comparisons to Fleetwood Mac, Kings of Leon and The Byrds. Totally original genre-crossing foot-tapping music with plenty of songs from their third album, due out this summer.

Wasson?!

Sunday, June 12, 1pm:

DJ Gadget Sunday, June 12, 2pm: DJ Gadget brings us the same great sounds you can hear on AIR 107.2 (AIR1072.com) every Friday night between 8-10pm.

Super talented musician Joe Hardy will be appearing on the Dutch Barn stage at 7.30pm on Saturday, June 11.

Wasson?! are a Cornish five-piece punk band with a dash of Italian pizzaz on the keyboard!

Wivelele Sunday, June 12, 12noon: Wivelele are a community based ukulele group from Wiveliscombe, Somerset.

Which should give you all the clues you need to work out how to pronounce that name!

SUMMER ANTIX Alan Jay Sunday, June 12, 12noon: Alan Jay is a house music chameleon, dropping grooves and beats from disco to tech, smooth like silk, sliding you straight onto the dancefloor!

Ben Hadwin Sunday, June 12, 11am: Ben Hadwin has held residences around Weymouth for over 14 years, warming up for the likes of Mistajam, DJ Spoony and Lovely Laura.

Callum Reeve Friday, June 10, 6pm: Callum works as a producer on Heart Breakfast. During his spare time he DJs in bars and wedding venues around London. Look out for a set that spans a huge range of different genres.

Chris Bonney Friday, June 10, 10pm: With slick, fast-paced mixing, this multigenre, three-time winner of Weymouth

DJ Rob Oborn Saturday, June 11, 5.30pm: A music lover and DJ who has been collecting music since birth, DJ Rob Oborn plays soul, funk and disco, but absolutely loves house music!

DJ Rodderz Saturday, June 11, 1pm: DJ Rodderz loves to play tech house and will be mixing up the tracks for us on Saturday afternoon!

DJ Simon F Saturday, June 11, 9.30pm: DJ Simon F always brings the feel good factor so don’t forget your dancing shoes!

DJ Steve Mullins Saturday, June 11, 10pm: With over two decades of DJing under his belt, you’ll find DJ Steve Mullins mixing up the tracks from every genre and year. Recently signed up for Butlins Weekenders he’s played clubs throughout the UK and Tenerife. Keeping the heart pumping and the music flowing he’s not one to miss!

DJ Thunderwing Saturday, June 11, 3pm: Local house, dance and commercial specialist, DJ Thunderwing has over 15 years experience as a mobile DJ! DJ Tommy T Saturday, June 11, 8.30pm: DJ Tommy T will be playing summer house grooves with a minimalistic chilled-out style and a mix of old and new school vibes.

Frazer Mitchell Saturday, June 11, 10.30pm: Having played with the Ministry of Sound

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and Cream Tour teams, alongside Judge Jules and Dave Pearce, Frazer Mitchell will be giving us energetic dance styles, funky house, and deep, heavy basslines with a commercial edge.

Marc C Friday, June 10, 7pm: Mark C has held a residency with God Made Me Funky, and was the first ever Antix DJ way back in 2013!

Max Neilson-Howes Saturday, June 11, 11am: A 15-year-old DJ based in Weymouth, the host of Max In The Afternoon on Air107.2 will be playing the set of the summer for us before heading off to study at the Global Academy in London this autumn!

Minty Morgan Saturday, June 11, 6.30pm: From playing in manor houses for hunt balls and barnyard-based Young Farmers parties to smashing it at tech house events in Bristol, Minty Morgan has had them all dancing! Head down to her set at the Summer Antix stage for a good time!

CLUB ROUGE Kimberley Smith Sunday, June 12, 1pm: A singer-songwriter from Somerset, Kimberley will treat us to eclectic covers and originals on her acoustic guitar, electric guitar and banjo.

Maelei Saturday, June 11, 12noon: Dorset singer-songwriter Maelei is just 13 years old, but has a beautiful and uniquely soulful voice. Expect an uplifting, genrehopping set, including covers from Amy Winehouse, Ed Sheeran, Oasis and more.

Richie N Me Saturday, June 11, 2pm: Stripped back acoustic duo Richie N Me hail from Bournemouth and play a range of covers from various genres and eras.

Tim Fawkes Saturday, June 11, 1pm: An acoustic covers artist playing singalongs, indie rock and tunes to dance to. If you like Bon Jovi, Ed Sheeran or Radiohead, come and sing the classics out with Tim! AVANT GARDE The Bard of Windmill Hill Saturday, June 11, 1pm: Award-winning poet and storyteller.

“Cerebral stand-up at its best” says Cheltenham Poetry Festival.

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MY TOP TEN

When The New Seekers, George McCrae and Duran Duran were top of the pops WELCOME to this special My Top Ten feature where we go back into the musical history books to see what songs were topping the charts on the day that local people were born.

In this special Home Farm Fest Press feature we welcome the festival’s very own Poo Patrol team trio of Luke Simon, Jules Richards and Darren Shutler who clock up the miles wandering the HFF site to ensure that the toilets are kept in a good standard for people to use.

The wonder of music is that even though we will delve back decades into the annals of musical history many of us will still know the songs and instantly recognise the artistes.

My Top Ten is a feature each month in Yeovil Press community newspaper featuring local people whose birthday it is that month.

If you would like to take part in My Top Ten in the future please get in touch with us at yeovilpress@gmail.com and let us do the rest.

PHOTO: The Poo Patrol team with Luke Simon (centre), Jules Richards (left) and Darren Shutler. Photo: Christine Jones.

NAME: LUKE SIMON DATE OF BIRTH: July 24, 1974 INFORMATION: Home Farm Fest – Poo Patrol!

My Top Ten: 1: George McCrae, Rock Your Baby 2: Charles Aznavour, She 3: Stephanie De Sykes and Rain, Born With A Smile On My Face 4: The Drifters, Kissin’ In The Back Row 5: Paul McCartney and Wings, Band On The Run 6: Gary Puckett and The Union Gap, Young Girl 7: The Three Degrees, When Will I See You Again 8: Slade, Bangin’ Man 9: The Sweet, The Six Teens 10: Lobo, I’d Love You To Want Me

Top: Luke Simon Left: George McCrae Above: Paul McCartney & Wings Right: Gary Puckett and the Union Gap

NAME: DARREN SHUTLER

DATE OF BIRTH: January 9, 1972

INFORMATION: Home Farm Fest – Poo

NAME: JULES RICHARDS DATE OF BIRTH: March 25, 1983 INFORMATION: Home Farm Fest - Poo Patrol!

My Top Ten:

Patrol!

My Top Ten: 1: The New Seekers, I’d Like To Teach t he World To Sing.

2: Neil Reid, Mother of Mine.

3: Benny Hill, Ernie – The Fastest Milkman in the West.

4: Congregation, Softly Whispering I Love You. 5: Middle of the Road, Soley Soley.

6: Cilla Black, Something Tells Me. 7: Elvis Presley, I Just Can’t Help Believing.

8: Melanie, Brand New Key. 9: Johnny Pearson Orchestra, Sleepy Shores.

10: T. Rex, Jeepster.

1: Duran Duran, Is There Something I Should Know?

2: Bonnie Tyler, Total Eclipse of the Heart

3: Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) 4: The Style Council, Speak Like A Child 5: David Bowie, Let’s Dance 6: Forrest, Rock The Boat

7: Bananarama, Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye 8: Michael Jackson, Billie Jean 9: Orange Juice, Rip It Up Above: Darren Shutler Below: The New Seekers Middle: Benny Hill Left Cilla Black

10: Modern Romance, High Life

Top: Jules Richards Left: Duran Duran Right: David Bowie Above: Modern Romance

26

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Organisers toast the success of their charity Gin & More Night at the Quicksilver A FABULOUS fundraising Gin & More Night at the Quicksilver Mail in Yeovil coined in the cash for the School in a Bag charity and Yeovil District Hospital’s Breast Cancer Unit Appeal.

The evening was held in October 2021 and organised by DNA Events – better known to most as former Yeovil Mayor, Darren Shutler, and his wife Anna.

They would like to thank Quicksilver landlord Pete Lambden for hosting the event once again, plus Elvis tribute act Stuart Horne and musician Paul Lewis, aka Guitarist on Wheels, for providing the live music.

“We’d also like to thank Cow & Apple for its donation of a raffle prize and our merry bend of helpers who have been

with us on many a fundraising night over the last few years,” said Anna.

And Darren added: “We managed to raise over £1,000 on the night and with some money not allocated from previous years we’re pleased to say that we have been able to fund 65 schoolbags worth £1,300 packed with everyday school equipment destined for children

at Nakote in Nepal and make an £800 donation to the breast cancer unit appeal at Yeovil Hospital.”

The Gin & More Night for next year has been booked in for October 29, 2022.

Checkout the advert on this page for more details.

PHOTOS: Christine Jones and Submitted.

In aid of School in a Bag and Yeovil Hospital Charity

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In aid of School in a Bag and Yeovil Hospital Charity

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GUITARIST ON WHEELS PAUL LEWIS 27

School in a Bag charity supports Ukrainian refugees THE School in a Bag charity has seen a special appeal to help the children of war-torn Ukraine top £50,000.

The charity has been able to so far send out over 1,000 SchoolBags packed with everyday learning equipment and eating/ drinking utensils, to Ukrainian refugees arriving in Romania.

Luke Simon, chief executive of the School in a Bag charity, said: “A big thank you to our Romanian partners, Te Aud Romania, for the ongoing brilliant help with these distributions.”

The charity launched the appeal on March 1 to fund schoolbags for the children who were fleeing their homes in Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

School in a Bag works with two existing charity partners, the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline Charity and Te Aud Romania, who are right at the forefront of the Ukrainian crisis. Both can help the charity get SchoolBags to families

who have fled Ukraine seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

Since 2018, School in a Bag have provided SchoolBags to the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline Charity who work to support children in Ukraine and Belarus.

Based in the UK, they are currently seeking vital provisions which they will drive to the Ukrainian border once they have amassed enough funding for the trip. School in a Bag have pledged SchoolBags as part of this consignment.

Te Aud Romania based in Gura Humorului in north eastern Romania has seen an influx of Ukrainian women and children arrive in their town who are now currently residing in centres and local housing.

Luke Simon, founder and chief executive of School in a Bag, said: “We need to do what we can to help the children and families who are in this desperate situation. We are aware

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many appeals are being set-up asking for clothing and medical supplies, but we can help with equipment to enable children to have some form distraction by writing and drawing, the opportunity for makeshift schools to be set-up and to take away the strains of refugees arriving in countries if they are being given resources externally.”

He added: “From experience, being able to get to charities working on the ground who have the knowledge and capability to take aid and be able to distribute it, is essential.

“Our partners are experienced both within their communities and

distributing SchoolBags, so we know they will get exactly where they need to go. It’s at times like this when the generosity of people wanting to help can be overwhelming to those in the midst of it, but we have spoken directly to our partners, asked them what they require and now we need to raise the money to get as many SchoolBags as we can to Ukrainian children.”

PHOTO: The School in a Bag charity was recently at the Tesco Extra store in Yeovil to promote its fundraising work for Ukraine and promote the forthcoming Home Farm Fest.

Anna and her team's fantastic sanitary kit project SCHOOL in a Bag and Home Farm Fest supporter Anna Shutler has been leading an excellent project in making sustainable sanitary kits for women around the globe.

Anna started making the kits through an Inner Wheel project who were producing them for ShelterBox. ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity established in 2000 in Helston, Cornwall, to provide emergency shelter and other aid items to families around the world who have lost their homes to disaster or conflict.

The boxes and water filters come from WaterAid and are filled by Rotary with survival tools, cooking equipment and other items.

Rotary UK sends the filled boxes to Rotary clubs in disaster areas eg: Mozambique, Malawi, Nepal, Ukraine,

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Syria, Greece and worldwide.

Anna said: “With a team of amazing volunteers we managed to send out last year 1,000 kits through Shelterbox and School in a Bag with each kit consists of one bag, one liner and four towel pads.

“So far in 2022 we have supplied Shelterbox with 120 kits and School in a Bag 400 kits for Ukraine.”

Anna said: “We are always on the lookout for new volunteers to sew or even cut out the kits.”

Or if you are able to source any of the following items it would help to continue this project: Curtain material (cotton); shower curtains (PEVA or polyester); cotton material (dark colours); cotton thread; clean towels.

Please email on anna.shutler123@ gmail.com for more details.

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A theatre of talent helps to raise funds for Ukraine refugee crisis work A WONDERFUL night of entertainment took place at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil to help raise money towards the ongoing humanitarian and emergency response work in Ukraine and neighbouring countries affected by the refugee crisis.

Ticket sales alone for the special oneoff show entitled Concert for Ukraine – held on April 1, 2022 – amounted to more than £4,000 with the money going towards the School in a Bag charity’s Ukraine Crisis Appeal and the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

The programme for the evening included the likes of The Octagon Choir, The Trinity Entertainers, Yeovil African Drumming Group, Eminence Dance, Project Dance, Dance Factory, Colour: Indian Dance Group, Castaway Theatre Group, The Studio Dorset, Yeovil College

Performing Arts Students, Amy Forskett Dance: AFDYOUTH, Charlotte Wood, Bronte Cheshire and Matthew Rock.

During the evening the School in a Bag chief executive and founder, Luke Simon, took to the stage and gave a short speech about the charity’s work and support for the people of Ukraine.

The Octagon was delighted that former BBC presenter, Emma Britton, hosted the evening.

“Well done to everyone involved in the Concert for Ukraine at the Octagon Theatre who all gave their time, talent and expertise for free,” said Emma. “It was a wonderful evening.”

PHOTO: School in a Bag founder and chief executive, Luke Simon, at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil on April 1, 2022. Photos on the facing page are from the concert – all taken by Yeovil Press photographer Christine Jones.

SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER | 4PM

westlandsyeovil.co.uk Box Office: 01935 422884

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Rock for Ukraine at the Westlands Yeovil entertainment venue THE Westlands Yeovil entertainment venue hosted a Rock for Ukraine night to raise money for relief efforts for those caught up in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Live music was provided in the main ballroom by The Bad Cowboys, The IOUs, Snakebyte and Frazer Mitchell Music.

Well-known local musician Dave Woan also played at the start of the evening in the bar area.

All money raised from the event – held on April 22, 2022 - was to be donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal and the School in a Bag Ukraine Crisis Appeal.

Luke Simon, chief executive of School in a Bag, was at Westlands to support the event and give people more information about the charity’s work.

A spokesman for Westlands said: “A massive thank you to everyone who

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came to Rock for Ukraine on April 22 and helped raise funds for two fantastic causes.

“We must also thank a few others. Of course, a big thanks to The Bad Cowboys, The IOUs, Snakebyte & Frazer Mitchell Music for putting on such fantastic performances and agreeing to come and play so we could put the night on. We couldn’t have done it without them. Also thanks to Dave Woan for his acoustic set in the bar before the ballroom doors opened.

“Massive thanks to T.R.U Event Security and Consultancy for providing such a great security service and, finally, a very big thank you to all the staff who worked on the evening to make the event happen; many of which donated their time and wages to help raise even more funds.”

PHOTOS: Christine Jones.

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33

Charity thanks Yeovil community for its support IT seems strange that here we are looking ahead to the 2022 Home Farm Fest and we are turning the clock back to Christmas 2019 – but that’s what happens when a global pandemic ensures that normal life has to be put on hold.

The pandemic and subsequent restrictions meant that the 2020 and 2021 festivals could not be held and there were no Home Farm Fest Press publications and it also stopped the School in a Bag’s festive pop-up shop in the Quedam Shopping Centre and the traditional Marathon Bag Pack at the main Tesco store in Yeovil.

So we’ve gone back to December 2019

34

to when the pop-up shop and bag pack were last held – hopefully things will have returned to normal for December 2022?

A whopping 604 SchoolBags were funded at the Quedam in 2019 – an incredible effort.

And then a fantastic £3,112.90 was raised during a Marathon Bag Pack at Tesco. Hundreds of volunteers helped with the 18-hour bag pack and organisers cannot thank them and Tesco for their support.

Each SchoolBag contains everyday school equipment and eating utensils and makes a huge difference to a young person’s life. PHOTOS: Submitted.

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35

Inner Wheel ladies love to support School in a Bag charity

YEOVIL Inner Wheel Club members together with the charity’s District 20 chairman Pam Brewster were back at School in a Bag’s headquarters at Chilthorne Domer to run the tea tent for the charity’s BagYard event in September 2021.

And an Inner Wheel spokesman said: “A visit from School in a Bag’s chief executive Luke Simon made our day maybe the delicious home-made cakes tempted him!”

School in a Bag is a favourite charity of Yeovil Inner Wheel Club and of Inner Wheel clubs throughout Great Britain and Ireland.

In 2015-16 it was the Inner Wheel’s international service charity for the year and clubs raised sufficient funds to help with the rebuilding of a school

36

destroyed by an earthquake in Nepal.

District 20 clubs have regularly helped at the charity’s Home Farm Fest which has, unfortunately, been cancelled the past two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Club members nationwide continue to knit teddies to go with the SchoolBags which are distributed around the globe and this year with the pandemic a request for masks to go in the bags produced an immediate and amazing response!

For further information on Inner Wheel and Yeovil Club visit the District 20 website www.iwdistrict20.com or email iwyeovil112@gmail.com .

PHOTO: School in a Bag’s Luke Simon at the tea tent manned by the Inner Wheel ladies.

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BagYard Ultra proves a great event for the School in a Bag charity THERE is running and then there is running and Martin Johnson definitely comes in the latter of those two categories.

He was the Last Man Standing at the first-ever BagYard Ultra Weekend which was held at Chilthorne Domer in September 2021 to help raise funds for the School in a Bag charity.

Martin kept running for a staggering 120.8 miles which had been achieved over a time of 27 hours and 40 minutes.

This form of event – known officially as Backyard Ultra – is a form of ultramarathon race where competitors must consecutively run the distance of 6,706 metres (4.167-miles) in less than one hour.

When each lap is completed, the remaining time within the hour is typically used to recover for the next hour’s race.

The rules state that runners must complete the lap – also known as a yard – and be back ready to start the next or they are eliminated.

Martin was one of a group of dedicated runners who set off on

the ultra marathon at Home Farm at Chilthorne Domer – the headquarters of the School in a Bag charity hence why it was called the BagYard Ultra – at 6pm on September 10.

While Martin and his colleagues kept going through the night, more runs were held on the following day starting at 8am with a 50-mile distance, 11am with a traditional 26mile marathon and then at 4pm with a half marathon – all keeping within the rules of finishing a 4.167-mile lap within an hour.

There was a good crowd of supporters at Home Farm where they were able to enjoy refreshments and live music on the Saturday evening and cheer on Martin as he proved himself the last man standing.

The BagYard Ultra was organised in conjunction with Race Nation Events and the School in a Bag team would like to thank everyone who supported the event, the competitors, volunteers who marshalled the event, Tesco Extra for providing food for the volunteers, local bands Snooky Duke and Electric

Peach and DJ Thumper Hirst.

“Congratulations to Martin Johnson who managed 120.8-miles – an incredible distance,” said a School in a Bag spokesman. “Well done to everyone who beat their personal endurance goals, ran through the night for first time or did their first BackYard event – you are all insane!”

The 2022 BagYard ultra event is being held from Friday, September 9, with a Half Marathon event at 6pm and then the BagYard Ultra event starts at 8am on Saturday, September 10. For more details checkout on social media Facebook by going to the page entitled BagYard Ultra Weekend – an official Backyard Ultra event.

PHOTO: Last man standing Martin Johnson gives Yeovil Press photographer Christine Jones the thumbs-up and is still smiling – he’d only been running for about 24 hours when this photo was taken! The photos on Page 28 were also taken by Christine at the 2021 BagYard Ultra event.

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Yeovil Half Marathon makes a triumphant return to the town HUNDREDS of runners turned out to take part in the 2022 Yeovil Half Marathon as the event returned to the town for the first time since 2019 with the School in a Bag organisation being one of the main beneficiaries.

The 2020 and 2021 events had to be cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the half marathon burst back onto the scene as the crowds came out to cheer the runners around the course on Sunday, March 27.

The race started in South Street and the town’s Mayor, Cllr Evie Potts-Jones, was there to send the runners on their way with air-horn in hand and plenty of words of encouragement.

First runner to cross the finishing line at the Quedam Shopping Centre was Johnny Suttle, of Bristol and West Athletics Club, in a time of 1:12:13 – three minutes ahead of runner-up Matthew Lusby, of Street Striders, who finished in 1:15:19.

The women’s race was won by Gill Pearson, of Running for Time, in a time of 1:22:59 – eight minutes ahead of second lady finisher Katherine Fry in 1:30:28.

Third woman was Rebecca Brady in 1:32:34.

The race was supporting two worthy local good causes in Yeovil District Hospital and School in a Bag and both organisations had good representation in the event.

The School in a Bag charity had a number of runners taking part in the event including the organisation’s chief executive Luke Simon who, dressed in a giant schoolbag outfit, finished in a commendable time of 1:58:20 in 379th place.

Among the other SIAB runners Jules Richards finished in 22nd spot in an excellent time of 1:23:06, while Connor Hyde finished in 81st in 1:33:27.

And other SIAB runner Sam Thorne put in a terrific effort to finish in 2:12:32 and 561st spot.

Luke’s brother Piers, who was killed in the Asian Tsunami of Boxing Day 2004, was an excellent sportsman and was an integral part of a fantastic long distance running team at Preston School in Yeovil in the 1980s.

School in a Bag charity chief executive, Luke Simon (centre), with running team-mates Sam Thorne (left) and Jules Richards. Photo: Christine Jones.

SIAB runner Connor Hyde. Photo: Christine Jones.

Piers Simon was an excellent schoolboy runner. Here we see him (far right) along with his co-runners at Preston School in Yeovil and PE teacher John Flatters (third from left). Photo: Courtesy of John Flatters.

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Luke Simon at the end of the Yeovil Half Marathon having completed the course in just under two hours. Photo: Christine Jones.

Runners set off at the start of the 2022 Yeovil Half Marathon in March. Photo: Christine Jones.

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