Every year, the Trowbridge Village Pump Festival turns a quiet, rural backwater into a vibrant, nationally recognised open air music event. TREVOR PORTER meets the dedicated team who ensure everything runs smoothly.

Who would guess on travelling through Stowford that this quiet, idyllic backwater on the Wiltshire/Somerset border hides a secret.

Most of the year Stowford goes about its rural business of cream teas and picnics by the River Frome, but for a few days in late July it explodes into life.

For this is the setting for the Trowbridge Village Pump Festival, now rated as one of the top five in the country.

But to transform the setting is down to a dedicated army of volunteers who labour for a week prior to the event turning the quiet meadows into a top music venue.

In charge of site construction is a long-term follower of folk, Dave Newman.

Dave brings his knowledge and skills of engineering to the festival to make sure the marquees with their lighting and seating are all in place, and temporary fencing and bridges are built and are safe.

He said: "I really enjoy the challenge of getting together the infrastructure of the festival.

"To me the reward is to see so many people enjoying themselves, I suppose I get a buzz from it."

And while Dave is sorting out the mechanics, Alan Briars finalises the line up.

Alan's connection goes back to the very first festival in The Lamb Inn in Trowbridge, where he played with his group The Stonegallows.

He said: "Most of my work is done in the months after the festival and through the winter.

"I spend my time looking for and booking acts. This is usually complete before the end of January. My role at the site is to make sure it all goes to plan."

Alan Briars and Dave Newman are quick to say the whole success of the festival is down to teamwork.

The volunteers labour not only before the event, but continue working right through and beyond, ensuring that things run smoothly.

Alan said: "We are very lucky really, because we have some excellent key people that we rely on such as Johnny Morris our stage manager who has travelled back from New Zealand to be with us, Alan Hinds our safety officer and Stewart Smith the electrician with his mate Richard Bielby.

"We have compere John Alderslade, water man Neil Lucas, and organiser Keith Chatfield who have all been with the festival since it started, to name just a few.

"We even have a volunteer who travels down from Derbyshire who will turn his hand to anything."

The success of the Trowbridge Village Pump centres on the unique atmosphere at the festival site.

Landowner Phil Bryant is delighted to have the popular festival on his land. He has played host for the last 22 years and has seen his three children grow up with it, the youngest of whom is George, aged 13.

He said: "It's great having the festival at Stowford. It's like having a party in your garden you just open the door and you're straight into the fun. There is never any trouble, just people having a great time".

Like most events in today's commercial climate, the festival could not thrive without its sponsors. Local brewers Wadworth make a special brew for the event Trowbridge Pump Festival Ale as well as providing financial backing.

It goes without saying that the closeness of the four co-ordinators, Dave Newman the technical brain, Alan Briars with his ear for music, landowner Phil Bryant and sponsor Dick Stafford of Wadworth, makes this almost a family affair.

Which in fact it is, as Stowford is known for family groups. Some youngsters have grown up with the festival, their parents bringing them from an early age.

l This year's festival takes place from July 26-28 at Stowford Manor Farm. Tickets can be bought in advance or on the gate for the weekend or daily. Weekend tickets are £60, day tickets are Friday £12, Saturday and Sunday £30 per day. They are available through The Record Collector, 41 Roundstone Street, Trowbridge, (01225) 776403 or by credit card line 0117 929 9008. Festival information line (01225) 769132, e-mail enquiries@trowbridgefestival.co.uk or visit website www.trowbridgefestival.co.uk