So Nutfest 2007 has now been and gone, and what a great weekend it was. We raised over £900 for the charity Action on Elder Abuse and had a ball doing it Starting on Fri 27th July with openers Hesh belting out a new Nutfest set of rock classics. followed by a cracking set by Bevelled Edge including an awesome cover of. Next up, Poontang. Playing their original songs. A fantastic mix of country blues rock with a sonically mesmerizing performance of Uluru. And then to finish off, Hoarse with no Name. Such a great band to finish playing covers of  Pink Floyd, Thin Lizzy and many more. Unfortunately for the crowd no time for Freebird but who could complain after such great music.

So on to Saturday 28th and Toc'H deliver a wonderful array of covers not often heard at this type of gig. Even Wishbone Ash get a look in. A clever division of guitar work making for a very full clean sound. Following on were Full Roc-covery. If you can head bang to it, it's in the set. With Emma adding props to her songs and toby's stripped down drum-kit a very entertaining set was provided. We were suppose to see Grand Madness next but they were stuck behind a combine in St.Ives. Fortunately for us Lisa Marrie Bowman was on hand to offer a fill in of accoustic songs. Performing alongside an accoustic and electric guitar and backed by bass (By Jim, playing his first propper live gig. Well done Jim) Lisa's gentle but outstanding vocals calmed everything down to a nice level before Grand Madeness turned up the heat. Now you may not recognise the name but if you're a Nutfest vetran you will have seen the band. As  3 piece in 2005 Black Bikini Alpha, and as 4 piece Videostarr in 2006. As it happens they've now gone back to Black Bikini Alpha. A good heavy set of original songs from their new C.D. As the rain started to fall it was great to see the audience tough it out under the shelter of an enormous marquee (supplied by Ian Boreham. Thanks Ian.) and they were rewarded with The Buffalo Clubs set of blistering original songs. Played with heavy distortion and attacking drums although I've seen this band a few times now I'm still amazed they get that sound from just three people. And if I'd had a pound for every person that asked me why weren't they famous...........Good Luck Guys. Finding a band to follow all of this and close Nutfest wasn't easy but The Whybirds did us proud. Playing a mix of covers and original songs they got people dancing in the rain and thouroughly into their music. All four band members taking turns at vocals and finishing with mindblowing covers of Bruce Springstein's Rosalita and Hendrix's Purple Haze. An E.P. out now and an Album on the way we wish these guys all the best.

And so that was it. Two days of rip roaring, high octaine rock 'n' roll. Thank you so much to all the bands for giving their time for free to help such a good cause. Thanks to Ed from Action on Elder Abuse for his efforts. Thanks also to P J Boreham and sons for the marquee and materials, Nick Lumby at Screenprint (Cambridge) Ltd for the t-shirts, Ian from The Buffalo Club for the poster design, Paul, Kev, Clare, Louie and Wob for all their hard work throughout the year setting this up as well as the weekend itself, Ros and Lorraine for the BBQ, to all the staff at the Nuts and anyone else who did anyrthing. If I missed you it wasn't intentional. Thanks again and hope to see you next year if not before.

Fri 23rd Feb and as the bar clears itself of furniture and customers, ready for the evenings high jinks, an air of calm before the storm envelops the sleepy West Wratting boozer. And what a storm! F's fortieth birthday bash. Invitations sent. Cake baked and decorated. Buffet sorted and two bands on the bill. First up local rockers Hesh started with The Beatles "Happy Birthday" and rattled through classics such as "Rocks" "Place Your Hands" "Johnny B Goode" "My Generation" and "Let There Be Rock" at break neck speed before encoring with an everything louder than everything else rendition of Motórhead anthem "Ace of Spades". As the more than appreciative crowd shuffled through to the other bar to devour the buffet the stage was turned round and set for one of the Chestnut Tree's favourite bands and MySpacers Hoarse With No Name. Their set comprising of  Thin Lizzy, Pink Floyd, The sensational Alex Harvey Band, Neil Young and Blue Oyster Cult covers (plus many many more) raised the bar to another level as the four amazingly tallented musicians fed the audience classic after classic. However, the familiar crowd who had chanted for Lynyrd Skynards "Freebird" at every available opportunity, would not let the band leave without playing it and at twenty past midnight they were rewarded. The tune, starting with the familiar lilting guitar and vocals before cranking up into a monster instrumental, left the crowd exhausted and elated. Thanks to eveybody involved and Happy Birthday F. If only you could turn forty every week.