Helstonbury is organised by Paul Turton and Alan Rideout and hosted by the Blue Anchor Public House in Helston, Cornwall.  The organisers would like to express their grateful thanks to Simon and Kim Stone of the Blue Anchor for their support over the last ten years and also to their staff, past and present who have coped with the mammoth task of keeping everyone fed and “watered” over the weekend.

Helstonbury Festival was created in 2001 in aid of local schoolgirl Lizzy Gwilliam; her neurological disability meant that she desperately needed a more hi-tech wheelchair to allow her  to become more independent. 

The response from Helston community was overwhelming, £1700 was raised in this first year, the wheelchair was fully funded.  This fantastic response laid down the foundations for future Helstonbury festivals.

Since this first event Helstonbury has helped many local charities and causes you will be able to find out who is being supported this year nearer the time.  Only Helston people and groups are supported by Helstonbury.

Helstonbury is a weekend of live music.  It starts on the Friday night with “Kids Like to Rock”, a showcase purely dedicated to the up and coming local young talent from around Helston .  These young people range in age between 6 and 18.  Local music teacher Alan Rideout co-ordinates this section of Helstonbury; he mentors the young musicians and dedicates his time to teaching music and encouraging them to play live.  The young people play a wide range of musical instruments and provide an eclectic mix of musical styles for the Friday evening;  the “Kids Like to Rock” night is a perfect way for the musical youth of Helston to gain valuable experience playing live in front of a large crowd and at the same time it provides an enjoyable evening for proud parents, and friends.

Helstonbury then kicks off again on Saturday lunchtime with live music provided by an acoustic stage situated in the Beer Garden;  all kinds of musical and singing styles rotate throughout the  afternoon and evening.

At around midday, the first of the live bands start to perform in the famous Blue Anchor Skittle Alley, an 18^th Century  building situated at the rear of the Pub where skittles are still played to this day.  Named the Canon Stage (after a former Landlord), for the purposes of Helstonbury, this narrow stone walled and beamed building has seen many a rock band strut their stuff.  Local bands play through until midnight while the crowd cheers on each new act.  Many of the bands that play on this stage and the Acoustic Stage in the Beer Garden come back year after year to perform free of charge to help with the local charities that Helstonbury supports.

On Sunday we have more acoustic performances in the garden and rock bands on the Canon Stage with close of play at around 11pm. 

A full band line up will be provided as bands confirm their availability.

After a thoroughly entertaining weekend it ‘s time to take stock and tot up the funds raised. 2010 is the 10^th Helstonbury, lets see if we can raise the greatest amount of money yet;  news of how to apply for funding will follow shortly;  over the last 10 years Helstonbury has  raised in excess of £10,000.