Funstock 2021

The stars aligned and by chance the Sunday of the August Bank holiday this year was a gloriously warm summer day. Post all the Covid hold ups, Fundridge finally got to hold it’s Funstock event in the sun. We hope all that attended agree, it was well worth the wait. The idea, born back in 2019, had been to hold a mini festival at the heart of the village on Coronation Garden.  We hoped it would bring all aspects and ages of the village together, for an afternoon of laughter, music, and dancing. With great food, cheap drinks and games for the children. For the village, by the village, with love. 

With over 300 in attendance, the afternoon was everything we’d hoped for, and more. Our wonderful artists put on a fantastic music show. We are so pleased they could join us on the day. Sophie McKinnon (who as well as being an amazing singer, also works at The White Horse) kicked off the event for us in fabulous style singing Adele, Frank Sinatra and Dusty Springfield to name but a few. She was followed by our friend, singer Chris Harrison, on guitar, whose witty banter with the crowd and classic tunes such as Faith by George Michael got us to our feet. The evening finished off with the band “Something Else”. Excellent recommendation by Andy Cook, which saw Coronation Garden jumping to the sounds of Blur and Kings of Leon, among others. Check out Fundridge’s Facebook page for more videos and photos of the event (https://www.facebook.com/groups/fundridgesundridge)

As well as the music, the children had a selection of fun games to play with. The horse box coffee shop was selling a lovely selection of hot drinks, cookies and ice cream. Then the Red Pizza Van was serving a delicious range of pizzas. Through out the day the Fundridge Sundridge bar was selling tasty homemade sausage rolls and beautiful cupcakes, as well as a range of drinks for all tastes.

Seeing Coronation Garden alive with first, the laughter of families enjoying a summer day and then friends dancing under the stars was everything we’d hoped the day could be. Here’s to many more. 

As always these events are not possible without the wonderful group of volunteers in the village.  Extra special thanks go to Chris Ashworth for his excellent work as our sound man and kindness for not once questioning how we’d had this vision of a music festival with so little knowledge on sound production  We would have been truly lost with out you.

Additional big thank you to these individuals who donated time/skills/resources so freely:

• Gerard O’Reilly
• Richard Dunkely
• James Evans
• Jamie Sarchet
• Kerry Booker
• John Evans
• Friends of St Mary’s
• Radnor House

Plus of course the long suffering Friends of Fundridge volunteers for giving up all of their bank holiday and many other hours. Graham and Gill Hughes, Paul Brown, Ian MacMillan, Oli, Martha and Seb Henry, Julian Parkin, Charlie Watmough, Vicki Banbrook and, Beth and William Nicol. 

Roll on next year

Love 

The Fundridge Team