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Willow blog

Record-breaking weekend for music festival

June 13, 2017

This year was a record-breaking celebration for LeeStock music festival. The event sold out for the first time and set the tone for a rocking tenth anniversary.

An estimated 6,000 people attended over the weekend, held on the Saturday and Sunday of the May bank holiday, bringing a true festival buzz to Melford Hall, Long Melford in Suffolk.

Helped by some very welcome summer sunshine, the top line-up attracted the large crowds, including Newton Faulkner, Toploader, Goldie Lookin Chain and Wheatus as well as lots of local acts. The comedy tent also proved a popular addition.

Organiser Pete Keogh was determined to make the tenth anniversary a record-breaking event, he said “It went really well and we had record numbers. It was definitely a record year at the bar and in terms of ticket sales.”

Leestock is held in memory of Lee Dunford who died in 2006 from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Willow gave Lee and his band-mates a Special Day out at a recording studio in London.

Pete says “People were waiting from 10.30am on Saturday to get tickets. We had fireworks on the Saturday night as a surprise which went down really well. Newton Faulkner was amazing and Goldie Lookin Chain really got the party going on the Sunday.”

Lee’s parents Rosie and Rob Dunford were also there and spoke to the crowd of the impact and lasting memories of Lee’s Special Day. They spoke of how proud they are of all his friends and family for creating such a joyous legacy event in his honour and were overwhelmed by the support of the local community.

As ever, fundraising events like LeeStock wouldn’t be such a success if it wasn’t for all the volunteers who give up their time to help out, so a big thank you to The Round Table, Hadleigh & Halstead scout groups and of course our very own Team Willow.

Thanks also to Pete and his team and all the local businesses who supported and donated. We’re already looking forward to next year!

Lots of great photos here. Thanks to Allison Burke Photography.