VILLAGE Pump organisers, volunteers and close friends gathered last night (Thursday) to remember friends of the festival who have died since last year’s event.

Festival Director John Alderslade led the group in raising a glass to the festival’s fans who are no longer able to attend it on the eve of this year’s three-day event.

He said: “It’s a tradition here at the Pump that those involved in running the festival gather to pay tribute to past Village Pump members and musicians.”

The festival opens today with acts taking to three stages under the vale of the Westbury White Horse. The Neville Staple band headlines tonight (Friday) with The Proclaimers heading the bill on ‘Haterday’.

Organisers have renamed Saturday as ‘Haterday’ as they will be judging Pump-goers on their choice of hat.

Other acts playing over the festival include the Phil Beer Band, Martin Simpson and Dom Flemons, Breabach, Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston.

For more information, visit: http://www.villagepumpfolkfestival.co.uk/