Two local charities were under the spotlight at the annual DeerJam Music Festival, held at Banbury’s most historic pub, the Ye Olde Reindeer Inn. Organised by The Reindeer, DeerJam took place over Friday evening and Saturday (3rd – 4 th June) and comprised of performances from 9 local bands and artists, in aid of two local charities, this year, Radio Horton and the Katharine House Hospice.
Whilst the event was free to attend, fundraising took place through a raffle, organised by the Parsons Street pub, with the first prize winner (to be announced later in June) receiving a night for two in London and tickets to a West End show. Guests were also encouraged to support the local charities through donations. Total funds raised have so far amounted to over £1,000.00 and are still being counted, the full amount will be revealed next week. This will be divided equally between the two charities.
The line-up included an acoustic set on Friday evening, with artist Gareth Gwyn and local acoustic band Acoustic Journey headlining. Saturday featured a variety of performing bands and artists, including: Stevie Cooper & Lindsay May; Bushfield Smith; Stuart Layzell; ‘Til Dawn; Neva Mynd; Mississippi Disco and rounding the evening off, The SKAlectrics.
Radio Horton members enjoying the music and atmospherics at DeerJam. (Front L-R: Members, Lisa Simmons, Charlie Hallam, Graham Rousell, James Hulbert, Anthony Brown and Bob Dainty)
Speaking after the festival, Radio Horton’s Fundraising Officer, Bob Dainty said: “It’s a great pleasure for Radio Horton to be involved with an event of this calibre. Ourselves, and the Katharine House Hospice are extremely grateful to the team at Ye Olde Reindeer for organising another fantastic festival. We are thankful to the bands and artists for giving up their weekends to participate, as well as many of the Radio Horton team who all helped in various ways, compèring and keeping the crowds entertained between performances.”
“It was good to see the community of Banbury turnout to enjoy the music and support both of the charities, we are all overwhelmed by your generosity.”
For those unable to be there over the weekend, including patients in the Horton General Hospital, the entire fourteen hour event has been recorded by Radio Horton, who will produce a shortened programme featuring highlights from DeerJam, which will be rebroadcast in the coming weeks. Radio Horton Programme Coordinator, Sam Smette added “This is a first for Radio Horton, rebroadcasting highlights from DeerJam is yet another pinnacle in our commitment to provide patients of the Horton with broadcasts from local events that they would otherwise be unable to attend, and we hope to continue to deliver unique programming in this way at future events.”
The pub garden was transformed for the weekend, with staging and lighting erected, and a gazebo which housed an outdoor bar. The Ye Olde Reindeer, an iconic staple in Banbury as Hook Norton Brewery’s flagship inn, offered two barrels of specially brewed charity ales with all sale proceeds being split between the Katharine House Hospice and Banbury Rotaract. Up to 8 guest ales were also available, with the traditional range of Hook Norton ales and a selection of hot food.
The event will take place again next year on 2nd and 3rd June 2017.
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