Festival to 'go out with a bang' after 25 years

A music and beer festival, that's seen the likes of Ruby Turner, Suzi Quatro and Peter Green from Fleetwood Mac perform in a pub garden, is to take place for the final time this weekend.

The Linton Festival in Herefordshire started in 2001, when a group of pub-goers from The Alma Inn figured out it was cheaper to pay a band to come and perform in the garden, than it was for all of them to travel to Dorset for a gig.

With a natural amphitheatre behind the pub and huge dedication from the community, the festival became an annual event, growing in size and reputation.

It has also seen more than £150,000 raised for local charities but organisers admitted it has become "a lot harder".

Now, on it's 25th anniversary, those behind it say the festival - and they - need a rest.

"We've had a good run, we've done some really good things things, we've had a lot of fun along the way, but it's time for people involved now to go and explore different opportunities," said marketing lead, Zoe Davis.

"It's completely volunteer run... putting on events like this, they don't just happen overnight."

Some of the charities that have benefited over the years include Herefordshire Mind, the West Midlands Air Ambulance and Parkinson's UK.

Davis added that raising money had become more difficult in recent years, with costs increasing.

"To run the festival, it has got a lot harder to distribute money to charities at the end and that's our main goal," she admitted.

But organisers said they do not intend to leave quietly, Davis added: "We are surely trying to go out with a bang.

"The line-up is incredible this time - we've got three amazing headliners."

Festival-goers will be treated to Dark Side of the Wall, King King and The Magic of Motown, among many other performers across the three days.

With the pub's reputation for real ales, the drinks and food are just as important as the music.

The Alma Inn has won Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) pub of the year for Herefordshire more than once and they are welcoming a host of beers and ciders this year.

"Some from Butcombe Brewery, which is one of our sponsors, Bristol Beer Factory - they just won Champion Beer of Britain with their beer 'Independence'," said landlady Gemma Evans, who owns the Alma with her husband Dan.

"We've got Ledbury Brewey, we've also got some from Ross-on-Wye Corn Ales."

Corn Ales have even teamed up with the festival's musical director, Mike Bertenshaw, to produce a special beer just for the event - Linton Pale Ale.

Hundreds of people spend the weekend camping in the field next door and enjoying the cooked breakfast on offer from the village hall every morning, while many also go for the day.

"It's sad, but it's also happy sad" confessed Evans, who has owned the pub since 2011.

"We look back and reflect on how it's been so successful over the years.... £150,000 for charity. And it's just a great craic."

The Alma Inn will continue to hold a one-day festival supporting local artists in August, known as the Linton Summer Sessions.

The Linton Festival takes place from Friday to Sunday.

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