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Families enjoy the music at this year's Caversham Festival in Christchurch Meadows

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Caversham Festival ‘amazingly eclectic’

By David Millward
July 11, 2012

Crowds enjoyed a huge variety of music, activities and entertainment at Caversham Festival.

Live rock music was blasting out from the main stage while there were the gentle sounds of a duo performing on the floating stage on the Thames.

Stalls representing community groups and organisations filled Christchurch Meadows.

Organisers of the free community event were relieved to see the crowds come out, despite the weather and Andy Murray playing in the Wimbledon men’s final.

On Sunday, festival organiser Russell Alsop, from Readipop, said: “We couldn’t be more delighted with the number of people here, it’s really nice and busy.

“One of our players is currently playing in a Wimbledon match and people are still here so we’re very pleased.”

Groups on the main stage included up-and- coming Reading rock band Private Jet, along with Russell’s Teapot and Amy’s Ghost.

Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra provided the sounds of summer while punters dodged occasional showers.

The festival kicked off on Saturday evening with music and a free showing of Elvis documentary That’s The Way It Is and resumed on Sunday morning with a church service on the main stage.

Churches Together organised entertainment, with a sports-themed arena throughout Sunday afternoon showcasing the talents of schools and sport clubs.

Stalls represented organisations from Reading and Oxon Border RSPCA to Arthritis Matters.

Mr Alsop said: “It’s simply not just us that put this on. It’s down to everyone who’s given their time and effort for free.

“So many of the bands are playing for the love of it, just to be on stage, having a platform and getting a good appreciative crowd watching.”

He added: “It’s literally taken me a year to organise and behind me are a team of people back in Readipop, behind that are all the stalls and community groups.

“We are literally looking at over 1,000 people being involved in creating this amazingly eclectic day.”

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