Vale Castle readied for music festival

Saturday 26 August 2023

Vale Castle is being transformed ready to host Guernsey’s longest running music festival tomorrow.

The Vale Earth Fair takes place from noon until midnight, with people encouraged to get their tickets online beforehand to avoid disappointment.

There will be a huge range of music across the different stages, with the event headlined by Bob Vylan.

Pictured: The Vale Earth Fair begins at noon on Sunday.

Three charities will also benefit from the fundraising efforts, Burma Campaign UK, The Linda Norgrove Foundation and Safer.

Collective member Jade Kershaw was among the volunteers at the Castle getting the infrastructure ready.

She said the event promised to cater for the whole family, including a children's corner with sensory play.

“You can expect a fantastic day full of music and entertainment,” she said.

Pictured: Burma Campaign UK is one of three charities being supported by the event.

The core Collective, who begin organising the annual Earth Fair pretty much as soon as the last one finishes, are around 15 people.

They are joined by more and more on site as the build-up week progresses, with people helping out with things like painting the stages and some old friends travelling from different parts of Europe to lend a hand.

The Earth Fair itself is often a chance for friends to reconnect.

“It's a unique event and the fact that we're still here, running it as volunteers, non-corporate, non-sponsored, it's a pretty special thing these days.”

Visiting acts also include Kiko Bun and the Electric Shakes, with some bands like Swajen travelling over from Jersey.

Pictured: Headliners Bob Vylan.

“We support some really fantastic charities doing some really important work in world humanitarian causes, while locally we are supporting Safer, who obviously do some very important work with a lot of individuals," continued Jade.

The Linda Norgrove Foundation is a trust that gives grants to fund education, health and childcare for women and children affected by the war in Afghanistan.

The Burma Campaign UK campaigns for human rights and democracy in Burma. It works for the freedom of all the peoples of Burma regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or age.

Safer supports and empowers those experiencing domestic abuse.

Pictured: Recycling efforts are integral to the Earth Fair. Organisers are also keen to encourage anyone who has spare time on Monday to pop up to the sight to help clear any remaining litter.

Tickets for the festival are on sale  through https://www.valeearthfair.org/tickets.

Pictured top: Crew from Centre Stage busy preparing the main stage.