Dursley Rugby Club were rocking and rolling for much of the season just ended and they are continuing to rock and roll into the summer.

That’s because the ground that they share in Stinchcombe with Dursley Cricket Club and Dursley Running Club will soon be playing host to a music festival.

The weekend festival – known as Dursley Rocks – will take place on Friday 9^th and Saturday 10^th June, with some 500 people set to attend.

Those music fans will enjoy singing along to the tunes that will be belted out over the two days, of course, and it’s fair to say that Dursley Rugby Club have been calling the tune for a good while now.

The club, one of the sporting success stories in Gloucestershire, dominated the end-of-season Stroud and District Combination cup competitions, winning all three trophies.

Their flagship team, who finished third in Counties 2 Gloucestershire South after winning Gloucestershire 1 South the previous campaign, maintained their recent dominance of the Senior Cup by beating Stroud 33-17 in the final, while the 2nds won the Junior Cup with a 43-28 victory over Painswick and their 3rds triumphed in the Bill Adams Cup, beating Minchinhampton 2nds 22-0.

The women, too, enjoyed a fine season, finishing third in NC 2 South West (North) after winning 11 of their 14 games.

The club also have 500 players in their minis and youth set-up, so it’s no wonder there are so many smiling faces around the club.

Those rugby players – young and older – are currently enjoying a well-earned summer break, but a good number of them are sure to be at the Dursley Rocks festival, a festival that, rather like the rugby club, is on an upward curve.

It all started 10 years ago when Andrew Blackburn, from Dursley, picked up his guitar and held his own mini-festival in his back garden with friends.

The event, which is run by a team of volunteers, has gradually grown each year with more and more people wanting to get involved.

“The first Dursley Rocks was me and a few of my good friends from the Royal Navy,” said Blackburn.

“I’m still amazed how much this event has grown thanks to the support of the local community.

“We’ve had a few different locations and have always wanted to hold this event at our local rugby club.

“We almost managed it in 2020 but were hit by the pandemic – we’re delighted that we’ve finally made it and can offer camping and music on this brilliant site.”

Dursley Rocks is a not-for-profit community event supported by local traders and companies. Bands give up their time to perform and workshops are held to keep families entertained, from the Wotton Brass Academy to Into the Woods Forest School. Volunteers will run the bar and stewards and security will keep the site safe.

“Our ethos is to encourage would-be musicians to take to the stage for the first time in front of a supportive audience, and to inspire anyone, young and old, to have a go in one of the workshops,” continued Blackburn.

Jake Martin, fundraising manager for Dursley Rugby Club, said: “We are delighted to be able to host this popular community festival during the club’s 75^th anniversary year, making this part of a year of celebration.

“Our own players and supporters will be volunteering over the weekend and we are looking forward to a successful event.”

Tickets for Dursley Rocks are now on sale, email dursleyrocks.tickets@gmail.com

Bands performing at Dursley Rocks: Escape the Rain, The Velvetisers, Wotton Brass Workshop, Ross O’Donnell, Jennie Boyd, Frazer Holroyd, Martyn Bishop, Paige Allen, Stevie Mac Band, Jones Jammers, Hollow Trees, Disclaimers. Plus resident DJ Matt Newman.