LAST Saturday saw Rockore III take place at Lochore Meadows Country Park when a year of hard work by the Benarty Events Group came to fruition.

An approximate crowd of 3,500 were there to see a fantastic line up.

After a traumatic few months for The Group, with attacks coming from all the quarters regarding many issues, BEG remained resolute and stuck to their guns.

These issues have now been resolved and the Group are now working at building bridges.

Ian Laing, the Park Manager and the Group are now repairing a previous excellent working relationship that was built on trust. The group would also like to wish Area Manager Kevin Sayer a fond farewell and a happy retirement.

The festival kicked off with the now traditional local band and this year it was the turn of Benarty band The Other Side featuring local boys Tam Kirby, Michael Sneddon, Pepe and drummer Budgie Crowe. The guys didn’t disappoint.

The Rockore line-up was a mixture of up and coming bands, cover bands, tribute acts and two great headliners. Up and coming Fife Band Oskar Braves played a fantastic set and are a band destined for bigger things. Simple Minded, tribute to Simple Minds, were incredible.

The 80’s were represented by Party Fears Three and Love Distraction’s tribute to Human League and the crowd loved them both.

All the bands at Rockore III were totally professional, none more so than the last four acts The Fillers, Bad Manners, The South and last but not least the area's very own favourites, Joe’s Band.

These bands were all full of big characters from Buster Bloodvessel to Joe McCormack. The bands didn’t let a small thing called rain put them off rocking the now soaked audience.

The finale of the festival was the emotional set by Joe’s Band. The Group made a presentation to Joe. It was like a This is Your Life moment when Eddie, Charlotte, Shona, Kevin and James appeared on stage to take Joe by surprise.

Said BEG chair Eddie Easson: “The festival could never go ahead without the fantastic work of our army of volunteers. At times there were over forty people behind the bar working tirelessly.

"When we asked for help it was there in seconds. We had people buying drinks then jumping behind the bar serving.”

The Benarty Events Group are indebted to the agencies that help them put the concert on. Ian Laing and his Meadows Park Staff, Police Scotland, Forth Crossing Security, St Andrews First Aid, Bobby Hodge H&S, Sound Control, Apollo Stage hire, all The Food Vendors, Nisa, Face Painters, Janet Dunn and her Tute Staff, The Video Team, Photographers Derek Johnstone & Tom Kinnaird, Rubber Stamp Promotions, DJ Ronnie Mackie and Compère Brian Hodge. The Group can only apologise to any they may have missed.

“The day after the event is time for the massive clean up and again it is once again it’s about volunteers this year was no different. Again the Staff of The Meadies were at the forefront without them it is a nigh impossible task,” said Eddie Easson.

"The clean up volunteers are all ages from school children to OAPs but once again local businesses are there in heartbeat.

“Every year we have loads of fold up chairs left by the audience, this year there were even more than usual all covered in mud. Owen and Brenda came and took them away and cleaned them up and have agreed to store them for next year. These will be sold next year hopefully for a nominated charity.

"As you can well imagine the arena was in a sorry state but thanks to Ian Bruce the area has now been rolled. The group will work closely with Ian Laing and his staff to get the grass back to its best.

"Plans for Rockore IV have already started and it will be on Saturday 22nd August. The Benarty Events Group are open to all suggestions that would make the festival and there other events better. Any ideas can be posted on our Facebook page. Volunteers are always welcome to come and join our team at any event. Remember our motto TEAMWORK MAKES DREAMS WORK

“Next on the calendar for The Benarty Events Group is The Christmas Celebrations which includes trips to the Pantomine, Santa Parade, Christmas Fayre. We hope to see you all again.”