The Graze Festival in Twyford returned today (Sunday 27 August 2017) and Steve took his family along for what is Hampshire's finest music & food festival.
Now in its third year, Graze is hoping to raise even more money for local groups and charities and this year, the Murray Parish Trust was a key charity partner. It is raising money for a new children's emergency department at Southampton Hospital and Steve has worked closely with founders Jim and Sarah since its inception. Last year he persuaded the Chancellor to match fund, up to £2m, their fundraising efforts for the new facility.
The festival, held at Hazeley Fields in Twyford close to the Hazeley Road business park, is a day of live music, food and family entertainment and this year featured brit-pop band Republica plus hip-hop act the Stereo MC's as headliners.
Steve says; "We've heard of the Graze Festival of course but never managed to get there in previous years so it was great to finally see what it's all about. We also got to catch up with a number of friends from the village which was nice.
"For many of us of a certain age, the Stereo MC's bring back serious memories so it was great - and slightly surreal - to see them top of the bill in a field in Twyford. There was also some cracking new acts getting a chance and we especially enjoyed Benjamin Folke Thomas on the acoustic stage who struck just the right now, even if he did have some truly terrible jokes.
"The event was a triumph, just the right size and combination of children's entertainment along with adult fun. We will definitely want to go again and I look forward to meeting up with the team behind Graze to learn about the event and the money it has raised for local charities such as our campaign for the first children's hospital in the South of England at Southampton."
Pictured; The grand entrance to Graze 2017 and (below) Steve with Jim Murray and Sarah Parish of the Muray Parish Trust at the event.
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