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KEMP Hospice say “cheers” to fifty years with first-ever music festival

Shelley Stanley

Wyre Forest charity KEMP Hospice are gearing up for their first ever music festival this weekend and they will be raising a glass or two to celebrate thanks to three local breweries.

The Kidderminster based charity are holding their first family-friendly music festival called KEMPfest on Sunday 18th August at Shed Food & Drink Festival Site, Crossway Green near Stourport. The event is to mark their 50th anniversary and alongside headline acts such as chart-topper Max George, Fuzzbox, Sweet Female Attitude, a comedy tent and loads of local bands and performers on stage they will also host a real ale tent. Three local breweries have provided a section of ales for festival-goers to try including Bewdley Brewery, Wye Valley Breweries and Hartlebury Brewery Co.

KEMPfest organiser Shelley Stanley said it was their hope to make a truly local festival, honouring KEMP’s local roots: “It was so important to us that we highlight local talent on stage and also for us to work with local businesses/suppliers to make KEMPfest a great festival for everyone in the Wyre Forest district. It is so exciting to have three local breweries joining in the celebrations too, providing us with some fantastic refreshment to go with the amazing entertainment. We have been so well supported in putting KEMPfest together and it is a testament to the support that we have received at KEMP since we were founded fifty years ago. KEMP was formed in 1969 to care and support for people in our community and it is the people of that community who have kept us going for five decades that we want to thank. We want to mark our fiftieth anniversary in style and I hope people will come and enjoy a great day out.”

Shelley added that all drinks sold on the day can help benefit the patients and families that KEMP Hospice provide care and support for too: “We want everyone to, obviously drink responsibly at our family-friendly festival but we also want people to know that they are doing something for charity while they are enjoying the day. We have special souvenir eco-pint glasses that we will be selling and every pound raised will go towards the care and support that KEMP give to people locally who are dealing with life-limiting illness or bereavement. We’ve been able to create these environmentally friendly glasses thanks to support from local sponsors Ocean Events Ltd and Griff Communications.”

Someone who is encouraging people to buy tickets for KEMPfest is Elaine Perry-Keene whose husband Andrew is looked after by KEMP Hospice. Andrew has Parkinson’s Disease and visits KEMP’s Day Hospice once a week and Elaine also receives respite support at home from the charities KEMP for Carers team.

Elaine said that KEMP had been a lifeline for them: “I don’t know what we would have done without KEMP. I struggle to cope on my own being his full-time carer but knowing that he is coming to KEMP is such a relief for us both. If we are coming to KEMP it’s a better day. Andrew is so well looked after and it fills me with confidence to go out and relax, knowing that he is receiving such fantastic care. This would not be possible without the support KEMP gets from local people. Events like KEMPfest will help raise vital funds for them. So please support KEMP where you can.” 

As well as live music, food and drink, KEMPfest will feature; a live comedy tent, a live music stage hosted by Teach Me Music Academy, children’s entertainment, prizes, rides, festival shopping, a free shuttle bus to the event from three pick-up points locally, hosts Becky Wood from BBC Midlands Today, Dicky Dodd from Signal 107, BBC Hereford and Worcester presenter Nina Das Gupta and even a penalty shoot-out arena hosted by Kidderminster Harriers.

KEMPfest Running Order

Infinite Sauce                          12:30pm

Kev from The Murmur            1:15pm

Chloe Mogg                            2.10pm

The Queen Has Two Heads     2.45pm

Meg Shaw                               3.40pm

Secret Cabaret                        4.35pm

Iconic 80s                                5.40pm

Fuzzbox                                    6.55pm

The Institutions                       7.40pm

Sweet Female Attitude           8.45pm

Max George                            9.30pm

KEMPfest’s Coniston Coaches Shuttle Bus pickup points

Vale Road in Stourport

Crossley Retail Park in Kidderminster (opposite Costa)

Chester Road South (in front of The Viaduct pub)

KEMPfest will take place at SHED Food & Drink at Crossway Green on Sunday 18th August between 12noon and 10pm. Tickets are on sale via KEMP Hospice’s website www.kemphospice.org.uk/kempfest and are also available from KEMP’s reception on Mason Road, all of KEMP Hospice’s shops, SHED Food & Drink or are available at the gate on the day. Adult tickets cost £15.00, Young Adult tickets (aged 10-17years) cost £10.00, children under 10 are free, a KEMPfest Family Pass (2 Adults, 2 Young Adults) costs £40.00, parking is £5.00 per vehicle and all money raised will go towards KEMP Hospice, helping to provide free-of-charge specialist care and support to people across the Wyre Forest who are dealing with life-limiting illness and bereavement.

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