FORESTERS will rock Cinderford in October, as a charity fundraiser comes to the Miners Welfare Hall.

The event from 7pm on Saturday, October 17, called 60 Diamond Years of Forest Rock, looks to raise funds for charity Hope For Tomorrow, towards its mobile cancer care units (MCCU).

The cause is one close to the heart of many Foresters. One of these MCCUs stops in the Forest of Dean, typically on Wednesdays at Cinderford’s Community Hospital, and is ideal for locals who cannot travel to Cheltenham Oncology.

The event itself has an intriguing history, with the first of its kind launching in 1991. Organisers explained it initially happened as during the 1960’s and 1970’s, live entertainment in local pubs, clubs and halls was the ‘in-thing’.

Bands like The Castelles, Kilgaron, Network, Rob and The Zeroes, Sundown and Tanglefoot, Dancing at the Discotheque, and Pete's Beat Disco were all out entertaining people in the Forest of Dean and beyond.

Newspaper clipping 25 years forest rock
A newspaper report of the event in 1991 (Tindle Newspapers Ltd)

In September 1991, a group assembled to hold a charity event called “25 Years of Forest Rock” at the Dean Centre, Cinderford. Local bands from the ‘60s and ‘70s were invited to play free of charge. It was held over two nights at Oaklands and competed by Gregg Upwards from Severnsound Radio, which was hailed a huge success. Over 1,000 people attended and it had raised around £5,000 for a local charity to provide a children’s wing at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Following the success of 1991, a second event was held over three nights a year later. On October 8, 9 and 10, an estimated 1,500 nightly attendees enjoyed the bands, highlighting the love the Forest of Dean has for live music.

25 years later in 2016, participants decided to do it all again, this time called 50 Golden Years of Forest Rock. By this time, some of the original bands which took part had passed away, but many remained including Sundown, Shoey and the Castelles, Network, Tanglefoot and Kilgaron. The Golden Years was a big hit and over £3500 was raised for charity.

A decade on - previous participants and organisers receive a telephone call from Clive Cowmeadow, who played lead guitar in a few bands throughout the Forest but now lives in Malaysia, to ask for one more get-together for charity.

This time, it’s 60 Golden Years of Forest Rock. A spokesperson for the event said: “The band members have thrown away their zimmer frames, gargled with engine oil to get that smooth sexy voice, and practiced until their fingers bled.”

Event organisers are also seeking people or businesses to sponsor the evening, to help with the associated costs. These range from hiring the hall and doormen, to printing posters and raffle tickets. Organisers are also looking for raffle prizes, with any contributions gratefully received.

There will be performances from Vipers, Ramraiders, Kilgaron, Network, and Zeroes, along Pete’s Beat Disco.

Doors open from 7pm with bands starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 available from any band member from September onwards and the bar is cash only.

More information can be found by calling Jenny Green on 07786586721 or email [email protected]