Watchet Music Festival will take place as planned this August Bank Holiday – and virtually the entire 2020 line-up has been rolled over to this year.

Major acts including Gabrielle, Shed Seven, Toyah and Sister Sledge all plan to be there as do The Bar-Stewards Sons of Val Doonican, Leylines, The Hawkmen, Future Dub Orchestra and Hands Off Gretel.

On top of that, The Feeling, Hue & Cry, and Desmond Decker’s band The Aces have been added to the bill.

They will also be joining Exeter-based acoustic singing-songwriting duo Sound of the Sirens, Tex Mex band Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young, surf garage band Palooka 5 and the party-starting Oh My God! It’s the Church.

And, of course, the festival’s house band The Wurzels will be on stage, too.

Behind the festival is not-for-profit Watchet Live CIC – proud recipients of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – which supports a wide variety of local charities.

This is one of the few music festivals going ahead this summer, for which Watchet Live CIC thanks the grant received earlier this year via the Culture Recovery Fund.

Everything that should be done will be done to ensure the festival is Covid-secure.

All 2020 ticket purchases remain valid for Watchet 2021 – and anyone who is self-isolating and/or unable to attend this year’s event due to a positive test will be able to transfer their ticket to 2022 at no cost.

The last few tickets remaining cost £77.50 (adults 16-plus), £60 (13- to 15-year-olds), £250 (family weekend). Parking is £10 for cars; campervans are sold out.

Accompanied children aged 12 and under can attend free of charge – no advance ticket is required. 

Tickets are subject to booking fees. Buy online at www.watchetfestival.co.uk

More details in today’s Free Press (July 30).