Hobbs Farm music festival in Bognor to help blind and partially sighted people

Staff of 4Sight raised a magnificent 20,000 this week from the latest Hobbs Farm music festival.

But the initial indications are the previous best of 16,000 will be easily beaten.

Senior fundraising officer Tess Indran said: "It was the best festival we've ever had.

"We had more than 700 people there, which is the highest attendance. It was absolutely heaving on Saturday night with more than 500 people present.

"We thought we would struggle this year with the economic conditions, but it couldn't have been better. We will definitely be holding another festival next year."

The festival was the sixth to be held by the charity, also known as the West Sussex Association for the Blind.

It is the biggest single moneyspinner of the year and took place from last Friday to Sunday (September 13) thanks to the generosity of farm-owners Pat and Charles Stancombe.

Those who contributed to the success were able to enjoy the acts of returning favourites such as John Otway as well as The Feel, Cover Note and Soul Intentions.

New names among the 21 musical performances also kept the event fresh. They included Dakota VI, Alan and Stewart, The Mulberries and Sarah Saville.

The festival feeling was complemented by a variety of stalls '“ such as Indian jewellery and crafts '“ as well as food and drink supplies.

"It's a unique festival," said Tess, "because it takes place on a working farm. That gives it an atmosphere which is a one-off. The bands also give their time free and the weather over the weekend was perfect for us to make it a wonderful occasion."

The success will take the total raised by the festival past 70,000.

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