Old Leamingtonians to host seventh Rugby4Heroes festival

The annual event, which will take place at the club in Bericote Road from Friday to Sunday May 15 to 17, has raised tens of thousands of pounds over the years for various charities connected to the armed forces.

These include Help for Heroes, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the Royal British Legion and 353 a charitable trust set up by the family of Private Conrad Lewis.

A member of the Parachute Regiment, 22-year-old Conrad, of Claverdon, was killed by a sniper in Afghanistan in February 2011.

The weekend will include rugby tournaments for various age groups with teams from all over the country taking part.

Over the years music has been incorporated more into the event and this year’s line-up is set to be the biggest yet.

Artists will include Harry Quick, Kristy Gallacher, The Chris Gibbons band, Lost Dog, Thom Kirkpatrick, The Pips, The Voice 2014 contestant Tom Barnwell, Ill Gotten Gains, and The Acoustic Who with music being played on the Friday and Saturday nights and the afternoon on the Saturday and Sunday.

A street food festival, a real ale festival, charity and trade stalls, cocktail bars and a children’s zone will also be among the attractions.

The Royal Air Force will provide an aircraft display and there will be a Royal British Legion Remembrance Service.

Afghan and Gulf commemorative rugby shirts along with other Rugby4Heroes branded polo shirts and hoodies - made by sports brand Akuma - are being sold as part of the festival’s fundraising effort with more details available on how to buy the apparel on the event’s Facebook group.

Camping costs £20 per person for the weekend while festival passes and day tickets are also available.

For more information visit Rugby4Heroes.org or follow @Rugby4Heroes on Twitter.