A South Oxfordshire village is welcoming the return of a much-loved music festival, raising funds to help local research into lymphoma cancers.
Rokefest is a beer and music festival hosted annually at the Home Sweet Home pub in Roke, near Benson.
The event has been running for 15 years, but like so many was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Organisers hope this year’s festival at the weekend will be bigger and better than ever.
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Jo Chapman is one of the organisers. She said: “We select a different worthy charity every year for Rokefest and this year we are raising funds for the Julian Starmer-Smith Lymphoma Fund, which is part of Oxford Hospitals Charity, in memory of one of our dearly beloved locals, Ashley Jones.
“Ashley was a real character who sadly passed away, far too young, after his second battle with lymphoma. We plan to do Ashley proud at this year’s festival and raise more money than ever to help local research into lymphoma cancers. We have a fantastic line-up over the three days of Rokefest and all the bands are kindly playing for free. We hope people dig deep into their pockets and donate generously for this very worthy cause.”
As well as the live bands and entertainment there will be a sponsored head-shave, with Ashley’s son, Zac, amongst those ready to lose their locks for charity.
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Ashley’s wife, Sam, said: “I am incredibly touched that the local community is remembering Ashley in this way, and raising funds that will directly benefit the medical team at the Churchill Hospital who cared for him over many years.
“Ashley was brave, kind and funny, a very genuine human being who loved to entertain and was always the life and soul of the party. He was born in Oxford, rowed for Britain and had successful careers in the motoring and leasing trade. Life was never dull with him, he would make everyone laugh constantly with his cheeky humour and a twinkle in his eye. He loved his friends both old and new but most of all he adored his family and was so proud of his children. He is very sadly missed by everyone.”
The Julian Starmer-Smith Lymphoma Fund is part of Oxford Hospitals Charity.
Sarah Vaccari, Head of Communications at Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: “We are so pleased that Rokefest has chosen to support the important research done by our Julian Starmer-Smith Lymphoma Fund. This is such a wonderful tribute in memory of Ashley.
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“As a local myself I know what a fantastic event Rokefest is - and how excited everyone is to see it back this year.”
Live music starts on Friday, May 27 at 7pm and finishes at 10pm on Sunday, May 29. For more information go to www.rokefest.com.
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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
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