THE organisers of an annual music festival which was first held in West End are finalists in the small business of the year category of a national award scheme.

ShyneFest, a family friendly, live music festival, is in the running to get an accolade in the The Family Network Recognition National Business Awards.

The Family Network, which has more than 10 branches around the UK, supports parents and families in business with free networking events and affordable workshops.

ShyneFest is named after Shyne Adcock and came into being the year before her 40th birthday in 2015. She and her husband, Kevin, were wondering what they could do to celebrate the significant event – perhaps hiring a hall with a band, or finding a venue with music and camping so that people could stay over with no worries about designated drivers or finding taxis.

The celebration developed into a weekend-long music festival on a friend’s farm in West End. Kevin invited his friend Ciaron Sykes, who had played in bands for many years, to help organise the bands, stages and sound and the ShyneFest team was formed.

The 2020 event, on 12 and 13 June, will be at Apps Court, with Noasis, Toploader and From The Jam among the bands booked over two days on two stages.

Shyne commented: “We are so shocked, but also very proud and honoured to have been announced as a finalist. We absolutely love what we do and the support that we have had over the years from the bands who have performed with us has been amazing."

For more information on The Family Network, www.thefamilynetwork.net. Find out more about ShyneFest at www.shynefest.uk.

For the full story get the 6 February edition of the News & Mail