SWINDON Shuffle co-organiser Ed Dyer has teamed up with South Swindon Parish Council for a music festival at Town Gardens bowl next month for Prospect Hospice.

The My Dad’s Bigger than Your Dad festival will run on 28 August from midday until 10pm and is a festival dedicated to ex-landlord at The Victoria Dave Young, who passed away in June at Prospect Hospice.

Dave’s former band The Boys from County Hell will be headlining the lineup and Ed has spoken about Dave’s legacy alongside how the festival came about.

He said: ““He helped me grow my reputation as a promoter and very good at taking people under his wing, he could spot enthusiasm, that’s what he liked.

“Dave lived and breathed music and was just one of those people who liked to help people out.

“Because he was so loved and respected within the wider community, there was a sense of wanting to do something and get involved.

“I’ve been looking at doing something outdoors for years.

“I got in touch with the council just as they were looking for an event, so we joined forces and put the two ideas together and it’s been easy for the both of us.

“We’ve always supported charity with the shuffle and the festival’s about raising as much money as we can for Prospect Hospice who looked after Dave in his last few months and were so good to him and his family.”

Chair of South Swindon Parish Council, Chris Watts spoke about the importance of the bowl as a venue and said: “We want this venue used, it has to bring in some sort of income for its upkeep.

“It’s going to be 85 years old and it’s going to need some considerable work and we knew that when we took it on two years ago.

“The refurbishment program is dependent on showing that we can make this work, and the early signs are that this is something that excites people, they want to come and play here.”

Swindon Advertiser: Dave Young, former landlord of The VictoriaDave Young, former landlord of The Victoria

Dave’s widow Anna Sprawson said: “Dave’s death has been a tragic loss to all who knew him. He was so full of life and gave so much to others whether it was his family and friends or to the music community.

“I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate his life and all he meant to others by holding this one-day festival in aid of the Prospect Hospice who helped us all during such difficult times.

“We can’t do enough for this wonderful charity and we’re hoping to raise as much money as possible so they can continue helping more families in their time of need.

“The fact that so many people have come forward to help with this tribute concert is testament to what an impact Dave had on so many lives.”

Sheryl Crouch, head of income at Prospect Hospice, said: “We’ve been so pleased to have been chosen as the local charity to benefit from this fantastic bank holiday music event in memory of the groups wonderful friend, I really can’t thank them enough.

“I can see the passion in the team to raise vital funds for the hospice after we cared for Anna’s husband Dave at the end of his life.

“Support like this means a huge deal to us, especially at the moment when we’ve been unable to fundraise in our traditional ways but continue to offer specialist care to those who need it.

“I wish them all the very best for a successful and enjoyable event and we’ll be here to support them wherever we can.”

Councillor Neil Hopkins said: “We wanted to work with local promoters, people who know the Swindon music scene inside out and we want to support local business and local artists.

“There are things these guys are exceptionally good at and there’s certain things we can bring to the party, and by doing that, we’ve made less work for each other.

“It’s recognising the life of a local legend, but on top of that it’s supporting Prospect Hospice which is a key local healthcare charity.”

Aidan Watts, a sponsor of the festival with Gastech said: “As an Old Town resident myself, it’s fantastic that the parish council are getting use out of the bowl especially after Covid.

“It’s nice that we can get out now and I really hope the local community can get involved in this.”

For traders and sponsors interested for the festival, the festival can be contacted directly at mdbtydfestival@gmail.com