ORGANISERS of the Village Pump Folk Festival had a big decision to make after last year’s event lost money: should they keep going in 2015?

They have decided to push on, and have come up with a clever twist which they hope will give their event at White Horse Country Park, Westbury, the edge over many others.

Top act Show of Hands are not only appearing at the Pump, but their set will be recorded and produced as a 1,000-copy only live album – with the name of everyone in the crowd who buys one listed on the CD sleeve as a backing singer.

“We want people who want to come and see Show of Hands this summer to come to the Village Pump,” explained John Alderslade, festival director.

“We’ve got a great line-up alongside them, but this will be the best.”

“It’s going to be a real warts-and-all recording,” warned Steve Knightley, one half of the award-winning duo who have become synonymous with the Pump.

“We’re going to try and produce the best festival set possible. We can re-edit to a certain extent but it’s what happens on the night.”

Explaining their involvement with the festival, he added: “We were delighted to be asked – by the late Alan Briars – to be patrons of the Pump. He said he felt we fitted its image: West Country/drink/music and it was an honour.

“The Pump has never lost the connection, the musicians socialise with the audience, we camp there too.”

The other half of the duo, Phil Beer, revealed that, just like many Pump veterans, he has a favourite memory of his years of Pump-going.

“Playing with Little Feet, my favourite rock band, is a memory I really cherish,” he said.

“I remember when the Pump began, here at the club and in the gardens: it was amazing how many people fitted in to such a small space.

“The new setting is a fantastic site, it’s got space to grow and everyone seems to like it.”

Tickets for the Pump are already selling well, with the first tier, and cheapest, weekend tickets all gone: tickets in tier two are still on sale, and then prices go up to £120/£60/£10.

  • See this week's Wiltshire Times to find out who else is on the 2015 bill