PREPARATIONS are well underway to bring an all-day summer music spectacular to Kesgrave.Kesgrave Music Festival will take place on Saturday, August 5 and is being organised by friends and family of Kate Moyes, a 29-year-old from the town who lost her 15-month battle with cancer on August 6 last year.

PREPARATIONS are well underway to bring an all-day summer music spectacular to Kesgrave.

Kesgrave Music Festival will take place on Saturday, August 5 and is being organised by friends and family of Kate Moyes, a 29-year-old from the town who lost her 15-month battle with cancer on August 6 last year.

Mrs Moyes, who died on her birthday, spent the final weeks of her life in St Elizabeth Hospice where, according to those closest to her, she benefited from excellent care.

All the proceeds from the festival, which will be held at the community centre fields, will go to the hospice.

Organisers are expecting thousands of people to turn out for the music, played by a host of Suffolk's finest bands, and hope to raise a hefty sum in the process.

Mrs Moyes' husband Stuart, who lives in Kesgrave, said a number of hurdles had already been jumped.

He continued: “We have our line-up confirmed now. There will be eleven excellent bands playing throughout the day.

“We also have health and safety reports, trailers for the stages and public liability insurance which was donated by AXA. Parking spaces have also been secured.

“The tickets are available now and a lot of the entertainment for adults and children has been booked.”

Debbie McCallum, landlady at The Bell pub in Kesgrave, initially came up with the idea for the festival.

She said: “We must not forget why we are doing this. The day is about Kate and we are spurred on by the memory of her strength.

“The fact we can raise money and let everyone have a great time is a bonus.

“We are hoping to raise thousands and not hundreds.”

The music will begin at noon and carry on until 10.45pm. Festival-goers will receive a wristband meaning they can come and go as they like throughout the day.

Mrs McCallum said the organising committee had a “wish list” of equipment required. Still needed are five generators, gazebos and a large marquee.

She added: “We would like to say a big thank you to all those people who have already donated items and money.”

Tickets for Kesgrave Music Festival are £5 for adults and free for children aged 15 and under. They are currently available from the hospice shops and The Bell, but a full list of ticket outlets will appear on the festival website soon. If you can donate any of the items needed, call The Bell on 01473 622045.

Weblink: www.kesgravemusicfestival.com

The Line Up:

The Gordon Bennett Band

Little Barrie

The Nova Souls

Titian Red

Riff Raff

Shattered

Subway

Laudunum

Out of Proportion

The Score

DWB (aka Debs Warren Band)