You may recognise Friday’s line up. It is the Dave Shepherd Dixielanders and the Dr Teeth Big Band, the same line up as was washed out last year. We’ve got them back so hopefully the sun will shine on us and you can come along and hear these two brilliant bands this year instead.

We have some new sounds on Saturday night welcoming the T J Johnson Band and the Slammers Maximum Jive Band which should provide some cool jazz and energetic beats for a perfect Saturday evening out.

Not only that with a full range of beers and wines and prices frozen at the same level as last year the 2008 festival line up looks like it will be a summer hit.

Tickets go on sale on June 8th from our outlets, from our telephone hotline and from this website.

We look forward to welcoming you all at this year’s festival.

On Thursday evening record numbers came through the gate to enjoy one of the few sunny summer’s evenings we have had and listen to Richard Leach and the 7 Stars of Jazz, and the Jive Aces.

As people started leaving on Thursday evening the deluge began. It rained and it rained and it rained and all we could do is watch the site flood until the rain stopped. Thanks must go to all those who helped on Friday afternoon work hard to drain the site as much as possible and prepare the access routes so that we were able to open on Friday evening. We were able to offer our full range of drinks and food. Unfortunately the bands were not able to travel to the site in time because of the conditions but we managed to find a local band, (called “Colours” for those of you who have been asking), who provided an alternative programme of modern and classic pop tunes. We are sorry for those who didn’t get the jazz they were expecting but pleased we were able to offer a programme of music that proved popular with a spine tingling rendition of Hey Jude to finish the evening - we couldn’t get you all off the dance floor! Over 800 of you still braved the elements to come and enjoy our Glastonbury spirit wearing a fetching range of wellies.

On Saturday, apart from a few storms things began to return to normal. We continued to drain the site and around 1500 people turned out on Saturday Night to drink us out of beer and enjoy Susan Valliant Spear and the Rascals of Rhythm and that perennial favourite Bob Kerr and His Whoopee Band who got the biggest cheer of the whole event and gave us a rousing finale.

We are sorry that the unseasonable monsoon weather disupted the festival on Friday and if anyone’s enjoyment was diminished as a result but we did as much as possible to offer you the best festival we could in the circumstances. After several glorious summers it is a shame a deluge hit our anniversary year. We do not intend to offer a refund for Friday evening as we managed to open the festival with all facilities operational, we managed to provide live music despite the bands not being able to fulfil the programme through no fault of our own and the risk of inclement weather is taken when purchasing tickets for an outdoor festival in advance, to take advantage of the discounts on offer.

Next year will be our 21st year, and as with all comings of age a new younger committee will be planning next year’s offering after several stalwarts will stand down after our September de-brief. We would like to thank those members of the committee who have worked so hard to provide you with fabulous entertainment each year. The festival is entirely organised by volunteers from Reading Hockey Club who work on it alongside their other commitments. Some have been involved for all 20 years and they can now enjoy a well deserved break. We hope to see them back next year enjoying the festival from the other side of the bar, just as we hope to welcome all of those who attend this year, all of those who couldn’t make it and hopefully welcome some new faces.

The dates for next years festival are Thursday 17th, Friday 18th and Saturday 19th July 2008.

On Thursday night we had some great music from Dave Leach and the 7 Stars of Jazz and the Jive Aces. Last night due to the bands unable to make it through the weather we managed to find a local band who offered a range of their own compositions and some modern classics from the Beatles to the Killers. Something a little different to our usual jazz but we are grateful they were able to step in at the last minute to provide you with some entertainment.

Tonight we are featuring Susan Valliant Spear and The Rascals of Rhythm. The Rascals are fronted by two wonderful musicians in Mike Wills and Tony Blincowe who between them play enough reed instruments to start a shop (or possibly a museum)! They carry on the great traditions of Jimmy Noone, Mezzrow / Bechet, Wilber & Davern, even Wally Fawkes & BruceTurner! The drumless rhythm section of Dave Moorwood - acoustic guitar, Perry Lock – piano, Roger Davis – bass, “provides a backdrop… as springy as a trampoline and uncluttered as air” (Digby Fairweather).

Songs are handled by Dave himself and by American Susan Valliant Speer, a versatile and dynamic performer with roots in the classic blues of Bessie Smith, Alberta Hunter et al, and the great vaudeville tradition, as exemplified by Sophie Tucker.

Not a band to categorise easily, you will hear music by Jelly Roll, Fats, Duke and many of the great tunesmiths of the 20’s and 30’s.

The second band featured tonight is a return of regular favourites Bob Kerr and His Whoopee Band

100% Music + 100% Fun = 200% Entertainment. There are two kinds of people in the world: those who have seen Bob Kerr and his Whoopee Band and those who have not…

If you remember the hit song “Winchester Cathedral” in the 1960s, you will know the playing of Bob Kerr. More than just a funny band, Bob and the boys present a complete visual show of “Musical Mayhem” in true “Spike Jones and his City Slicker” Style. They will amaze you with their musical ability and split second timing, playing more instruments than you can count on several hands. Their brilliant sense of fun and quick fire humour has the audience falling about from start to finish.

The show is a complete variety of musical styles from the 1920s to the present day nothing is sacred. A show of unashamed nostalgia, honest fun and great musical entertainment. They have been described as a cross between Spike Jones, The Marx Brothers and Monty Python.

We look forward to welcoming you this evening.

First up on Thursday evening we’ve got Richard Leach’s 7 Stars of Jazz to start us off with the perfect mix of Chicago, Swing and Dixieland plus a hint of Vaudeville. Then it’s a welcome return for The Jive Aces after a hugely successful set last year. We just have to have them back. Their energy is infectious and if their hot jive that rolls the energy, beat and enthusiasm of rock and roll and the rhythm of big band swing into one, doesn’t get you going this summer then nothing will!

So forget about work, forget about rain, get yourselves down to Christchurch Meadow this Thursday (or Friday or Saturday) and have a good time. Tickets are only £10 for Thursday evening and it’s your last chance to but discounted tickets for Friday and Saturday nights.

With both the beers and the bands with got some old favourites and some new fresher additions, so why not take a look and see what takes your fancy. Don’t worry if you aren’t a beer lover. Although our range of 30 ales has something for all tastes, we also have a selection of wine and a full range of soft drinks and some lager and cider. Our wine list is also now available so if you are entertaining and fancy something a bit more special why not order one of our bottles.

Our band programme has been finalised - hopefully more details of the band we be coming soon. We are currently finalised our beer list and as soon as we have it we’ll put it up here. You can be certain that we’ll have our usual wide selection including some strongs and a range for rereshing lighter options all at a fantastic price. If you don’t like ale - don’t worry! We also have a fantastic selection of wine, champagne and cider.

As usual you have a choice of purchase options and if you buy before the 16th July you can save on the cost of tickets for Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets are £10 for Thursday nights, an absolute bargain way to enjoy a fine summer evening’s entertainment after work. Tickets for Friday and Saturday nights are£13 before the 16th July and £15 on the gate if there are any left.

We’re sorry that our hospitality areas are fully sold now so if you were thinking or hosting a work event we won’t be able to accommodate you this year - try again next year! We have discounts for larger groups (6 people or more) so round up your friends and colleagues and come as a group to save and add to the atmosphere. Group discounts can only be obtained by calling the ticket hotline on 0118 944 1650.

How to Buy?

You can buy online from this site. Payment is using Paypal (a Paypal account isn’t required you can just use your credit card). Please see the information at the bottom of each page or visit the tickets page. Tickets will be posted to you.

You can also order by telephone. Call out hotline on 0118 944 1650. If no-one is available to take your call please leave a message and we’ll call you back. Tickets will be posted out to you.

We have 4 outlets around Reading selling tickets:

Hickies of Reading who are fantastic supporters of the festival, also providing us with a piano. Find them in Friar Street in Reading.

3 Way Physiotherapy on Headley Road in Woodley

The Town Hall in Blagrave Street in Reading

The Black Horse Pub on Kidmore End Road, Emmer Green fine purveyors of ale all year round.

19, 20 and 21 July 2007.

It is our 20th Anniversary. We hope that old friends and new alike will come and join us to share in the memories, sample some great beer and discover some of our favourite bands from previous years.

Here are some highlights from last year’s festival.