OVER 100 locals enjoyed a mix of musicians, DJs and comedians at a music and comedy festival held at the Knoll Inn, East Brent, on Saturday evening.

John Matthews arranged the event on his 50th birthday in hope of helping support two charities close to his heart. He said: “I wanted to mark my 50th birthday with a charity fundraiser, and by luck two other friends shared similar birthdays.

“With the help of friends and family, we set a target of £1,000 for two great charities – Cancer Research UK and The Beacon Centre, Musgrove Park Hospital.”

A handful of local businesses were also in attendance on the night and helped John out with his cause. 

John said: "We were also able to secure some help for some great local businesses, including All Signs and Design, That Leisure Shop, CRS Builders Merchants, Bopgun.com, Thatchers Cider and Poolec Automotive and Leisure. So a massive thanks to all of them."

The evening started as it went on, with flamenco music from Graham Downes, followed by live music and comedy limericks from a local performer, John Hartoch.

Then the night continued with Midlands-based comedian Adam Beardsmore performing his comedy set, and a face from TV’s Britain’s Got Talent, North Devon-based comedian Alf, was there performing some stand-up.

The evening was rounded off with a tasty tapas selection provided by the landlords of the Brent Knoll Inn, Dan and Laura, coupled with DJ sets from DJ’s DJ DAZZA and DJ RADZ. 

John found the evening to be a huge success as was thankful for people donating.

He said: “After totalling the figures we have raised more than £1,000, we look forward to sharing this amount with both great charities.”