More than 2,000 people enjoyed a day of music, family fun and community celebration at the Stockbridge Community and Arts Festival on Sunday 30 August, with crowds treated to a surprise performance from Tommy Scott and friends from the multi-platinum selling Liverpool band SPACE.
Held at Pool Hey Field, the free festival featured fairground rides, food trucks, stalls, bouncy castles, live entertainment and a heritage tent celebrating the history of Stockbridge Village through historic photographs and talks by local historian Alan Makin.
The day opened with a visit from former Liverpool FC player David Fairclough who hails from Stockbridge Village, and a performance from St Luke’s Morris Dancers before a packed programme of live music from Ryan Smith and The Henleys, Robin Lee, Pauly Molden, local musician Phil Jones, a community flash mob, the MJ Experience and Jessica Libby.
The highlight of the day came when Tommy Scott, who grew up in Stockbridge Village, took to the stage alongside fellow members of SPACE for a surprise acoustic set. Festival-goers sang along to chart favourites including Neighbourhood and Female of the Species, while Jessica Libby joined Tommy on stage for a memorable rendition of The Ballad of Tom Jones.
The festival was co-ordinated by community group Flourish and Succeed CIC and supported by Culture Knowsley. Funding was provided by The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of celebrations marking Knowsley’s 50th anniversary.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: “The festival was a fantastic celebration of everything that makes Stockbridge Village special. It was wonderful to see so many people coming together to enjoy the day, and the surprise performance from Tommy Scott and members of SPACE gave the event a truly memorable finale. Congratulations to Flourish and Succeed and everyone involved in delivering such a successful community event.”
Michael Fielding from Flourish and Succeed said: “We wanted to create an event that celebrated Stockbridge Village’s history, culture and community spirit. Seeing more than 2,000 people enjoying the festival was fantastic, and the surprise appearance by Tommy Scott and friends was a real highlight that brought people together and created a special moment for the community.”
Despite the patchy weather, local residents enjoyed six hours of entertainment, community activities and local heritage, making the festival one of the biggest community celebrations to take place in Stockbridge Village.
Check out more photos from the event below:
