Last updated 13:02, Tuesday, 23 September 2008

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CHARITY music festival BFest took place at the Bower House Inn in Eskdale.

This is Nicole Regan's festival diary and includes photos, mini-reviews and videos during the two-day event.

SUNDAY

11pm Did I say halfway through? They're now on their last song of the evening. So that's it, BFest 2008 is over. The weather held for most of the weekend, the bands played their hearts out and the organisers and staff worked their socks off to make it a success.

This is probably the only chance I'll get to thank everyone for making us feel welcome, and to say see you next year!

10.50pm The Thursdays - formerly The Drunken Thursdays - are about halfway through their set, the last of the evening.

The crowd is dancing and waving sparklers around. It's been a great couple of days - good music, good food and fantastic atmosphere.

The organisers are already talking about next year and are planning to introduce an acoustic tent to replace the dance tent, as well as the main and second stages and comedy tent.

Initial plans are to make it even more family-focused than it was this year.

10.10pm Youngsters Jessica and Stephanie are asked up on stage and sing Amy Winehouse's Rehab. The duo held their own event and raised cash for the organisations. Can't be sure but think they got the biggest cheer of the weekend. The Thursdays are due on any minute.

9.34pm Chi Weapon has an interesting sound - a bit of prog rock, mixed with reggae and now they've launched into Sparky - a song about the lead singer's dog, dedicated to all the dogs at the festival. They are good musicians and the tunes so far are infectious.  

9.25pm A t-shirt signed by all the bands who played over the weekend has just been auctioned off by Darren for £25 and signed CDs from The Rileys, The Thursdays, Occasional Rascuedos, Coustics, Sidewinder and a half-eaten biscuit has been sold to the highest bidder for £32.

All money raised from the weekend will go to the Gosforth First Responders and Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team.

Scottish band Chi Weapon have just come on stage - to the sound of bagpipes - and have just begun the first song of their set.

8.40pm Well, the rain didn't last that long and it suddenly became a summer's evening.

West Cumbrian bands Sidewinder and the Marratimes have done the area proud. Sidewinder produced a top set and the Marratimes are on now, with an energetic set - and very energetic bass player, who wouldn't stay still enough for me to get a decent picture.

The crowds have thinned out, with it being a school night, but there's still enough of us to appreciate the music. There's only two acts to go - Chi Weapon and The Thursdays - and then it's all over for BFest 2008.  

6.45pm The weather's taken a turn for the worse and it's now bucketing down. People are huddled under the food teepee, the bar teepee and are in the hotel bar.

Saying that, there's still a number holding on to their deckchairs - and some brave souls even had the foresight to bring umbrellas. The Occasional Rascuedos are still playing with relish, however.

6.20pm Now, according to the list Sidewinder are supposed to be on the main stage now but for some reason they're not. I'm not complaining as The Occasional Rascuedos are on from Blackpool and although they're just one song in, I'm already liking the style of music, a mix of rock, blues and funk.

Hats off to whoever decided to offer a pound for every bag of rubbish collected by youngsters on the site, it's keeping them busy and the field cleaner than it would be.

6pm Full Tilt are now on the second stage, doing a cover of Chris Isaacs' Wicked Game. It's begun to spit with rain, but most people are shrugging it off. A special mention to Blind Kings on the main stage - some fabulous harp, guitar and trumpet work from the band that got people up dancing - a video should be uploaded shortly.  

4.15pm Hey Molly, due to appear on the main stage now-ish, haven't turned up without letting organisers know. As compere Darren Skelly said, it's for charity. London band The Rileys have stepped in and are doing an excellent job.

Remember, you can tell us what you thought of the festival, who your favourite band was or your moment of the event by filling in the form below.

3.40pm Telf are on the second stage now, and have brought some good old fashioned rock to Bfest - a mix of their own stuff and covers. We liked the band's cover of Guns n Roses' Nighttrain, mainly because lead singer Telf (no idea what his first name is, don't actually think he remembers) was not trying to be Axel Rose. Video coming soon of one of their songs.  

2.55pm Organisers have closed the dance tent as a precaution against further trouble. Gorgeous weather appears to have put everyone in a better mood - although it has to be said, I've yet to see Chris Webb without a smile on his face. 

Paul Dobie has been on the main stage, with a really good set. He looked familiar and I've realised he was the unknown artist at the jamming session yesterday. 

Myth of Unity are on now, the Blackpool band are a ball of energy and are delivering a fusion of Beastie Boys-style tunes, ska and rap set. Husband says he feels it's more traditional hip hop. Whatever it is, it's addictive listening, although sounds better to me indoors in front of the computer than outside in front of the stage.

They've just turned into Kid Rock. They appeared at Glastonbury earlier this year afer winning a battle of the bands competition.

They're using a lot of samples and the high energy music has woken most of us up from that lazy Sunday afternoon feeling. They said they were also beaten up las night, but it would take more than that to stop them performing.

Once again, the beer and food are fantastic.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team members are here. Deputy team leader Stephen Walter, who has been with the team for 10 years and new boy Rob Tulloch, only three years in, said they were delighted with the fund-raising efforts of the festival.

The team need a new Land Rover, at a cost of £30,000, and it's events like this that keep them going, they said.

Also bumped into Miss Cumbria, 18-year-old Natasha Cooper, who just lives down the road.

The Lakes College West Cumbria student is having a great time and is helping to sell BFest t-shirts.

We're going to try to get pictures and video of Whitehaven band Telf, who are appearing soon on the second stage. Keep checking back to see if we've managed!

12.30pm Manchester band Dirty Soul Club are on the main stage now, giving it their best shot. Gavin McKew video should be uploaded shortly, technology willing.

12noon Fantastic acoustic set now from Gavin McKew, of Go, on the second stage, easing festival goers into day two of the event.

There's been a bit of trouble overnight, apparently, in the dance tent. Organisers looking harrassed after little or no sleep.

Rumour is there was a fight in the dance tent , on the camping field and Nicky Flash had his inflatable sumo suits stolen at some point yesterday. I don't know how you steal inflatable sumo suits without anyone seeing you. . .but still.

We also saw a bloke, looking the worse for wear, being escorted off site this morning by security.

I must point out that this was a minority of people and I, and I guess the majority of people, weren't aware of it happening.

It's a shame when this happens, especially when the festival, overall, is brilliant. I hope organisers don't let this incident put them off next year - they shouldn't. There's a really good atmosphere here and long may it continue.

9.30am Been outside, it's a bit overcast and people are wandering about looking bleary-eyed. Sign on the gate says the campsite is full, so there must be over 1,500 people here.

There seemed to be a bit of trouble yesterday about people parking on the very narrow road outside the hotel but looks like it was cleared up relatively quickly and people moved their vehicles when asked.

8am Know diary stopped suddenly last night, but was far too tired to post. Didn't get to the silent cinema - music was just excellent and we couldn't tear ourselves away from it.

Riverside Trio, Wardrobe Monsters and Coustics all rocked. Didn't venture down to the dance tent but may have a nosey tonight and will do the cinema too!

Just going for breakfast and will report back after fed and watered. Sounds like there's lots of activitiy going on out there. . .

SATURDAY

 8.40pm:  After the relentlessness of One Way System, a more laid-back few songs from an artist on stage two before Razordog take over the main stage with bluesy rock n roll.

Check out the video from the jamming session this afternoon. A few technical hitches have meant much less video than we would have liked but we'll carry on trying!

7.40pm: One Way System are on, playing angry punk-style music to an appreciaitive crowd, and they even have fans down the front, dancing and singing along.

6pm: Outl4w are on the main stage now - providing the festival with a metal edge. They're probably the rockiest band that's been on all day and are playing with loads of gusto. they must be the youngest band on the bill - pictures of them will be added soon, have a look!

It's just been announced the secret cinema in the woods - a big screen, some deckchairs and a piano - will screen Nosferatu tonight. Sounds great because it'll be really spooky in there and for the same reason, sounds awful. Not sure the husband is going to allow me to attend.

4.45pm: Impromptu jamming session going on on second stage, involving Guy Kendall, Courtland Bresner and another musician, whose name I didn't catch, playing good old blues that the crowd are loving. 

The band I liked earlier but didn't know who they were I have found out were Soundstripe on the main stage. The Silvertones are on now, with an intense melodic set.

Estimates put audience numbers at about 1,500.

4pm: In the last two hours, the excellent Three Ages of Elvis rocked the main stage, Guy Kendall produced a brilliant set on the second stage - which you won't be able to see because our video/stills camera blew up, sadly - Nicky Flash from ITV show Britain's Got Talent (he who could not get out of a duvet) has amused us with intentionally rubbish magic and the duvet in the children's/comedy tent, I've drunk  a lovely pint of Hesket Newmarket beer from its stand and we've eaten quite possibly the best festival food ever - potato dauphinose and salt beef on a bagel. Yum!

Being in the comedy tent, I've lost track of who is playing at the moment or which stage they're on but they're sounding good too.

The weather has stayed fine and warm, bit of a breeze but okay.  Spoken to lots of people who are all enjoying themselves, including Adam Poulton, 28, of Eskdale, who said: "Who needs to go to Glastonbury when you've got this near home?"

Pictures are being uploaded now and more will follow. . .

2pm: Hurrah! The sun is finally shining, the band on the main stage Dead Man's Jacket are playing The Clash and not killing it, so all is right with the world at Bfest.  More later. . .  

IT’S 12.45pm on Saturday, rain keeps threatening but the sun is determined to make guest appearances at music festival BFest, at the Bower House Inn in Eskdale.

With more than 1,000 people already here and more due during the two-day event, it’s shaping up to be a good weekend.

On the main stage at the moment are Shore, doing a cracking mix of covers and originals.

The second stage was opened by Courtland Bresner, who stays at the Bower House during the week for work, who played a nice and easy blues set on his steel guitar to ease the first influx of revellers into the festival.

It’s just been announced by the compere that BFest has had its first engagement.
Brett proposed to Rachel in a tent last night. We will try to find them later to find out more. . .

The festival is organised by Chris Webb, who owns the hotel and is run by him and his staff, who are all looking a bit harassed at the moment, making sure everything goes smoothly.

Now in its third year, the festival raises funds for Wasdale Mountain Rescue and Gosforth First Responders.

Keep checking back here for updates, photos and videos as the weekend progresses.

Click here if you’ve been to the festival and want to share your pictures and video. Fill in the form below to tell us what you thought of the festival.

More later. . .