A couple who took on a Burton pub earlier this year are hoping to put their stamp on the place, while raising money for a fantastic charity, with a one day music festival.

Gavin Watts, 37, and his wife Terri, 30, have been in the pub industry for many years, but took a break to have a family.

They said they planned to venture back into the business when the right opportunity came along, and the perfect one it seemed, was the Branston Arms.

Now the couple, who took over the running of the pub in March, is hoping to make its mark on the community and rack up funds for a charity which helped care for Terri's father, Terry Pike, of Horninglow, as he battled cancer, with a one-day music festival which will take place on Saturday, September 2

Father-of-four Gavin, has lined up 13 local acts of all shapes and sizes to provide the soundtrack to punters in the hope of raising hundreds of pounds for St Giles Hospice, which is based in Whittington.

He said: "My wife's dad was looked after by St Giles when he was ill and they did a great job. I am into live music and hold weekly jam nights, so thought about combining the two for a fund-raiser.

"We have not done anything like this before. We have only been at the Branston Arms since March so we thought now is a good time to do something for charity, the community and put ourselves on the map.

"I have been in Burton on and off for the last 15 years, but Terri was born and grew up here. I have run pubs for years, and the last one we had together was in Leek, before we decided to take an eight year break to complete our family.

"We always said we would get back into it when the kids were older. Although we were not planning on taking anything on yet this came up and we just went for it.

"So far it has been great. We are blessed with lovely regulars and are working towards building up the food side of the business."

Terri's dad was cared for by staff at St Giles

Gavin said he underestimated how much organisation was needed for the festival but he hopes it will be a success.

He said: "It is going to be mad because we have got a fun day taking place the week before, so it is all go. The festival is almost organised but I have realised that I should have started it a long time ago. It has already taken me a good two months and I am still not finished. It has been quite tricky balancing work while trying to track down bands but hopefully it will all be worth it and we can raise some good money for a great cause."

The festival, which will kick off at noon on the day, will see 13 acts from around the area take to the stage including names such as Will Underwood, Freya, The Alternatives and All or Nothing.

Gavin said: "There will be soloists, groups, even a five piece band. We have tried to keep it local and want to put our stamp on the area and let people know we are here.

"I can't wait. I am hoping that the weather holds out and everything runs smoothly so we can get a lot of people through the door, if it is a success we will definitely look at doing it again next year."

Mr Watts said he is hoping that at least 200 people come along to the event so they can raise vital money for the charity.

He said: "It will mean so much if we can help St Giles because they do such a brilliant job. It is a charity which everyone knows around here, and who hasn't been affected by cancer?

"Everyone at the hospice do a fabulous job, nothing is too trouble so raising a decent amount of money would be a great way of saying thank you to the hospice and its staff for all that they do."

The one-day music festival will take place at the Branston Arms, in Branston Road, on Saturday, September 2.

Tickets cost £5 for adults and children under 16 can come along for free as long as they are accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets are available from the Branston Arms.

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