Over £6000 from Hachfest 2009 presented to local charities. The Hachfest committee would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to everyone who supported and contributed to the huge success of Hachfest in 2009.

A highlight of which had to be Ade Edmondson performing with his band ‘The Bad Shepherds’. Last year’s event built on the previous successes and despite the poor weather at times, raised over £6000 for local charities. The charities benefiting from the event include East Anglian Air Ambulance, St Elizabeth Hospice, the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust and Heathside Special School Minibus Fund; as well as Suffolk Soundwaves Youth Music Project, Pound Farm, Parham Airfield Museum, Hacheston Village Hall, St John’s Ambulance and Framlingham First Responders. Hachfest is a non-profit making event, and all the money raised goes to the nominated charities, or is re-invested into next year’s event. The money raised in 2009 was presented to the charities at a recent celebration evening, which was also a thank you to all those who volunteered and helped out to make the event happen.

Following on from this, Hachfest organisers have announced their dates for 2010. The festival will be held between 30th July and 1st August, at Mutimers' Meadow in the village of Hacheston, near Wickham Market. The event will begin on Friday evening and will continue all day on Saturday and Sunday, providing a great weekend of entertainment for all the family.

The committee feel strongly that it is important to work closely with the local community to ensure the success of the event, so if you have any comments, queries, or ideas; or would be interested in getting involved, please get in touch via comments@hachfest.co.uk. Organisers are also now receiving applications to take part, so any bands and artists who would like to appear should go to www.hachfest.co.uk to obtain further information and an application form.

Closing date is 31st March; successful acts will be announced in May. Thank you once again for the continued support, it is hoped that 2010 will be the best year yet!

There’s something for everyone at the Orwell this March as bands bring back the sounds of the Beatles, the fantastic 70s and 80s and the ever popular heavy rock scene.

Expect an evening with a difference from experienced Ipswich-born performer The Hatman on Thursday, 4 March as he changes headgear to suit the style of the music. He dons a joker’s hat to Steve Miller’s well-known song, a cowboy hat to Bob Dylan and also plays soul, reggae and audience’s requests.

Recently re-formed group The Martells will be hotting up the atmosphere when they play the Orwell Crossing on Thursday, 11 March. Originally founded in the sixties, this four piece band has a huge following but after more than a 12 year absence they are once again wowing capacity crowds with fabulous rock covers, which will lead you to the dance floor. Expect an evening of instrumental excellence from guitarist Gary Nunn who has played with Whitesnake and Iron Maiden.

Enjoy sixties’ nostalgia from duo Words and Music by Lennon and McCartney when they appear at the Orwell Crossing on Thursday, 18 March. Brothers Graham and Steven Dye have been performing Beatles’ songs since their youth and released their first single on the twentieth anniversary of the Beatles’ first hit, “Love Me Do.” They have also recorded at Abbey Road Studios in front of none other than Sir George Martin and Sir Paul McCartney. Words and Music have additionally enjoyed chart success with their own single, 101 Dam-nations.

Popular three piece band, The Real McCoy, will be performing at the Orwell on Thursday, 25 March. Hailing from Ipswich and Colchester this line up has been regularly playing the local pub and club circuits with their marvellous music covers from the 60s and 70s. Reminisce and recall the sounds of The Searchers, The Shadows and The brilliant Beatles.

The Orwell Crossing is the hottest venue for music in Ipswich with different groups and styles of live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night with FREE admission to Olive’s Bar where a variety of drinks are available, combine this with a keenly priced, delicious meal such as a carvery at £4.99 per plateful and served 12 noon to 9 pm daily in relaxed surroundings of the adjacent Dickie’s Restaurant – all under one roof. The Orwell Crossing, A14 Eastbound, Nacton, IP10 0DD, catering for your every taste.

For more information, contact 01473 659140 or visit www.orwellcrossing.com