Why we do it
YEAR ONE
B-FEST – 2021
Life starts at 30th right? Well our festival did!
It all started with our 30th birthday where we thought it was time after years of going to festivals to finally create one ourselves. We pulled all our resources together to make a free, private event for all our friends and family. Our stage was the floor and a lambing tent, with only a couple of bands and DJs. BFest, as it was called, was a one day party (Saturday) which we though was enough but, like everyone does at a festival, some went too hard early on and was in bed by 9pm… As you can imagine, if you put on a festival, you want to see it through! This is where we got the taste for running our own event.
YEAR TWO
WOOD-FEST – 2022
Tragedy Hit
This year, we lost a good friend to cancer. It was a complete shock for all of us. We decided put on a private event again to use the festival to raise money for her children. We called the festival Wood-Fest in memory of her.
We spent a lot more money this year, setting up the festival classics like festoons and portaloos and also decided to increase it to a 2-day event.
With everyone who came buying a ticket we managed to raise £3000 split between Charlotte’s children, and was used as a Christmas present from their mum.
This year prepared us into thinking about how to step it up and get it ready for opening up to the public in 2023.
YEAR THREE
WOOD-FEST – 2023
PUBLIC!
2023 was our first year opening the event to the public. It was a year long process of planning as we wanted to expand the festival and even introduce a second stage. On top of this, we had to introduce medical personnel, securtiy and even decided to build our own bar. The bar (The Finger Inn) and the dance stage (Wob Wob Tent) was a huge success with all.
We also included pyrotechnics and had the fire shooting from the stage.
With everyone’s help we managed to raise £1600 for the HIOWAA!
After a hugely successful year, we didn’t quite know how we were going to top 2023, but we sure were going to try!
YEAR FOUR
WOOD-FEST – 2024
WOW WHAT A YEAR
2024, the year of the rain. The ponchos were out, wellies were on and the show didn’t stop! This year was our first sell out and the torrential rain didn’t stop everyone from partying.
We pushed it this year with the line up and managed to book some amazing bands. We wanted to make our mark, and say “hello” to all the other festivals in the south. We are here!
The Kid Zone was an amazing new feature for the festival, bringing enjoyment for children and parents alike. With loads of games and activities, the kids were entertained all weekend along with the “Diddy Dub Club” on the main stage for the whole family to enjoy.
With everyone’s help we managed to raise £2423.44 for the HIOWAA!
2024 was not the year to miss!
YEAR FIVE
WOOD-FEST – 2025
Wood-Fest 2025 was a huge success, bringing together an incredible community for a weekend of music, good vibes and grassroots spirit.
After an extremely hot week during build-up, the weather couldn’t have been better for the festival itself — clear skies, great energy, and a packed field full of smiling faces. None of it would have been possible without our amazing volunteers, who gave up countless hours in the days and weeks leading up to the event to make it all happen.
We’re proud to have raised just over £900 for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, supporting a charity that means a great deal to us. While we would always love to raise more, the ever-rising cost of putting on an independent festival really hit this year — making every pound raised even more meaningful.
Planning is already underway for Wood-Fest 2026, with some brilliant acts already confirmed and an even bigger, better show in the works.