A community festival celebrating music, art and inclusion has been held at Newport’s historic Apollo Theatre to mark 6 years of the Isle of Wight’s Operation Geranium project, with proceeds supporting Age UK Isle of Wight.
The Operation Geranium Festival took place on Saturday 6th June, bringing together supporters, volunteers, local organisations and musicians for a day of entertainment, engagement and awareness building.
Running from 14:00 until 22:15, the event featured performances from artists with connections to bands including The Thompson Twins, UK Subs, The Boys and After The Fire, alongside touring support acts for The Levellers and Hawkwind.
Musicians travelled from Cornwall, Brighton and Northampton to perform alongside Isle of Wight acts including Angelina Grimshaw, All Washed Up and Graham Yeo Blow.
The festival was hosted by Steve Double BEM and supported by volunteers at the Apollo Theatre.
Organisers said the event was designed to celebrate the impact of Operation Geranium since it was launched in 2020.
The Island-based project supports adults with learning and additional support needs through plant-growing initiatives, with the plants then distributed to older residents by Age UK Isle of Wight care navigators.
Deliveries are assisted by Keert UK and Green Cargo Pedal Bike Service, helping to promote wellbeing, inclusion and environmentally-conscious outreach across the Isle of Wight.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Operation Geranium’s wider arts programme saw 50,000 ‘Wish You Were Here’ postcards distributed around the world to help people remain connected.
A packed line-up spanning punk, folk, country, pop, skiffle and rock entertained festival-goers throughout the day.
Headliners StormTrooper, who performed at London’s Marquee Club in 1977 during the emergence of British punk rock, topped the bill.
Also appearing were folk singer Rhiannon Crutchley, also known as The Brewer’s Daughter, alongside Cooper and Blonde, who have previously toured with The Fish Brothers.
Proceeds from the event will support the work of Age UK Isle of Wight.
