Virtual festival aims to help Bedford Esquires during pandemic

A virtual festival is aiming to raise vital funds for venues, including Bedford Esquires.

Called SOVFEST (Save Our Venues), the Zoom to YouTube event will take place on Saturday, August 15.

Katie Healy - one of the festival organisers - said: "Although the government has announced a deal to help grassroots venues, upon speaking to the owners, we found out that unfortunately this still wouldn’t cover a lot of staff who are really struggling financially and may not be able to continue within the industry."

She added: "This includes technicians, sound guys/girls, photographers, promoters, lighting assistants and more - the people behind the scenes that hold the live music industry together.

"We want it to be a festival celebrating successful local musicians who would have had independent live venues' backing."

The festival - together with Kelly Betts from BBC Introducing - has so far attracted the likes of have up-and-coming artists Alfie Templemen and Sam Girling with more to confirm.

The target is to raise between £5,000-10,000 whichj will be shared between independent music venues in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire & Buckinghamshire, including Bedford Esquires and The Craufurd Arms, in Wolverton, Milton Keynes.

To find out more, go to the event's Facebook page hereTo contribute to the cause, visit here