Astonbury - The Team

The Team

Astonbury couldn't happen without a huge amount of work behind the scenes, which starts around Christmas time. A dedicated hard-core team are augmented by a growing army of helpers, supporters and contributors as the big day approaches.

Here we mention a few of those responsible...

Neil Chesher - the Captain of our Ship

Neil Chesher is musical director and is asked by the rest of the team to keep out of the way as much as possible whilst they get on with their jobs. Always glad to get down the pub afterwards to get the first pint of the night.

Neil spends much of the event barking furious commands into that funky little headset of his, happily oblivious to the fact that the rest of us have long since switched our walkie-talkies off...

Neil is the primary driving force behind Astonbury.

Phil Corrigan - our Chairman

Our Chairman Phil Corrigan is a master scrounger. We say we need a double flanged burping bracket and he says "Leave it to me and I will have one tomorrow". Such talent! Such a shame that he has yet to see and remember the second half of any one of our shows...

John Whyte - Finance and Tickets

John Whyte is in charge of ticket distribution and security. John is also allowed to sing just because he does the job that no one else wants to do.
Looks after our finances and is overridden by the chairman when it comes to spending.

Dave Lewis - Electrics

Dave Lewis is Mr Sparks and has the headache of rigging everything in 2 days and dismantling in a morning. Known for his tricky solutions - there simply would be no Astonbury without him. Once played a 3 string bass on Shazam.

Dave moves out of his home and lives under the stage for several days in Astonbury week. Dave looks forward to it. So does his wife.

Phil Spooner - Sound

Master of Sound Phil Spooner. His job is to make us sound good… and no feedback. Phil is a music buff and is onto BBC 6 every day for the latest bands. He enjoys nothing more than going to gigs and watching other bands and other people controlling the sound to create a perfect evening.

On the Big Day Phil just turns everything up to eleven and hopes that nobody notices he's asleep.

The Rogues Gallery

There are too many others for us to mention everybody, but here are a few more Astonbury reprobates...

bob bean

Bob Bean

peter shorrock

Peter Shorrock

rod rotheroe

Rod Rotheroe

I think I'm goin' back
To the things
I learned so well
In my youth

I think I'm returning to
Those days
When I was young enough
To know the truth

Now there are no games
To only pass the time
No more colouring books
No Christmas bells to chime

But thinking young
And growing older
Is no sin
And I can play
The game of life to win

zzzGerry Goffin & Carole King