Golden days for community festival’s silver jubilee

Organisers are promising a ‘golden’ weekend as Dorset’s best loved community festival gets ready to celebrate its silver jubilee this month!

It’s now 25 years since Ashley Cross business owner Jan Crump had the idea of putting on a charity music festival on the open space at heart of the community. Grooves on the Green was the result and after the success last year of its first ever three-dayer, Jan is again promising a long weekend to remember.

“Three days means more music, more food, more stalls and more fun for all the family – it will be a golden time for Ashley Cross,” she says.

“With it being our 25th anniversary we want to make the greatest Grooves ever so we’re going right back to our roots with a music line up that is all local, stall holders that are all local, and kids entertainers that are all local.”

Headlining Grooves on the Green are locally-based tribute acts Oasiss (Oasis), The Few Fighters (Foo Fighters), Stereoironics (Stereophonics) and Inspired by Adele (Adele). They’ll be supported by the very best from Dorset’s vibrant music scene including Volatile Agents, the medical marvels whose line-up includes doctors, surgeons, theatre medics and a member of the judiciary. Also appearing are crack ska band Rat Race, skiffle masters Quinns Quinney, rock hero Chris Payn and covers band Brass Monkeys, as well as Kingsmen, BH-Rock, Romanzas, Running Wylde and Andy O’Sullivan.

DJ Allan Turner-Ward will oversee the action as MC and Dorset’s premier fairground operators William Cole & Son are providing the rides. The Kidz Zone stars include Krazy Kev, Little Gizmos, Squidge & Pop, circus workshops, Jamie Jigsaw, Minkie Moos, and the marvellous Mr Merlin.

“Ashley Cross is already in the mood for a party,” adds Jan. “Grooves was started as a summer focal point for this wonderful community and that’s exactly what it is today with residents and local businesses all working together to create that special, magical Grooves vibe.”

In recent years Grooves on the Green has raised in the region of £50,000 for Diverse Abilities Plus to continue its invaluable work supporting children and adults with physical and learning disabilities. Jan’s son Brandon is a service user and has been instrumental in raising raffle prizes from local businesses.

Alongside the ever popular Bricklayers Bar and Groove Garden Bar, drinkers will find Butcombe Brewing Co and Shepherd Neame beers. There’s the all-essential Coffee Cart, as well as slush and milkshakes. Plenty of Pimms, gins and cocktails complete the drinks lineup.

Foodies will love the tasty treats from the likes of Mimi’s African Street Food, Greek Catering 4U, Bao Beast and Bratwurst UK, not to mention Fire House Pizza, Ice Cream Bournemouth, Cakes & Bakes, and South Coast Sweet Delights, as well as cheese and charcuterie.

Grooves on the Green runs from 4pm on Friday and 11am on Saturday and Sunday with bars closing at 9pm on Friday and Saturday and 7pm on Sunday when the park will be opened to the public again.

Tickets available now at https://groovesonthegreen.com/tickets.

Children under 5 go FREE. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets are not refundable under any circumstances other than cancellation of the festival.

Early bird tickets are limited and have to be purchased by midnight on the night before the event day.

Proof of ticket via smartphone or printed must be produced at the front entrances on the event day.

Dogs on leads are allowed on-site.

Alcohol can only be bought from bars on-site bars; no alcohol can be brought into the event from outside. Glass is prohibited on site.