GALLERY: Reggae sounds fill the Staffordshire countryside as part of Staffs Fest
Off a dusty country lane in the Staffordshire countryside, the silky sounds of reggae and northern soul was played out to thousands of campers.
It was the third instalment of Staffs Fest and the 3,000 strong crowd alongside acts were blessed with warm sunshine.
The four day festival, which has been taking place over the bank holiday weekend, is held at Lower Penkridge Farm, Penkridge.
The event is designed to be family orientated with music from a mix of cultures.
In the farmers fields, guests were camped up in tents, caravans and camper vans.
At the festival area, a line-up of bands performed to crowds in three marquees which was for reggae, rock and northern soul.
Among the performers on stage was Basil Gabbidon, who founded the reggae band Steel Pulse in Birmingham in the 1970s.
Asked how he felt about performing at the festival, he said: "Brilliant, I am really excited. It is a step up from last year. This year we have our own marquee, Reggae Rocks, and have two dates (performances).
"I think this will get bigger and better every year and I am glad to be part of it." The festival itself has run for five years, operating under a different name on the first two occasions.
The family aspect of the festival, which creates a sense of community, is something the farmer who owns the land, Ray Bower, aged 67, enjoys about the festival.
He said guests plant pumpkin seeds at the festival and return to pick the crops at Halloween.
Natalie Hughes, 37, attended the festival with her children, twins Millie and Evan, aged five, and her friends.
She used to live in Staffordshire and has been to the festival before and although living in Cumbria now, she made the journey down to attend again.
She said: "The festival is brilliant, obviously the weather is really good so that always helps. This is the fourth time we have been and it keeps getting better and better."
Festival director Lorraine Conkey expects twice as many people to attend from last year and hopes that trend continues to grow.
Staffs Fest ran from Friday to Monday.
