EIGHTIES’ favourites Hue and Cry and alternative rock band Will and the People will be heading the bill at Wallingford’s summer music festival Rugfest.

Thousands of music fans and those partial to a glass of ale will be descending on Wallingford Sports Park in Hithercroft Road on Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21, for the sixth annual festival.

Hue and Cry, best known for their 1987 single Labour of Love, and Will and the People are just two of the 17 acts that will be taking to the stage over the two days, which should offer something to appeal to most tastes — from tribute bands The Police Academy and U2-2 and the country sounds of My Darling Clementine and Winter Mountain to ska band Hope and Glory and jazz singer Fleur Stevenson.

Organised by Wallingford Rugby Club’s players and members with the aim of providing a festival experience for people of all ages, Rugfest falls between the town’s Blues and Beer Festival held at the end of last month and the coming BunkFest in August.

And there’s more than just music and beer and ciders on offer as it will also feature food stalls and activities for all the family. This year, children will be kept entertained by circus skills, drumming, singing and dance.

Club chairman Richard Payne said “Wallingford is a great town and has always had a thriving music scene. But we saw an opportunity to fit between brilliant blues and fantastic folk, the music Rugfest offers is diverse and we try to not be fixed to any one genre.

“This year, like every other year, is set to have some great surprises.”

He added: “Last year’s main theme was dance and we brought the UK’s best Bhangra band RSVP to town. This year, the team have excelled themselves again both with the diversity and the quality of the bands on offer.

“The massive Will and the People are playing on Friday night and eighties favourites Hue and Cry playing on Saturday and this is just a taste of some of the great stuff on offer.”

As usual, the event, which is sponsored by live-in care for elderly people provider Promedica24 UK, the Ridgeway motor retail group and the Dunsden-based Loddon Brewery, will be raising money for the club and charity — this year, it’s the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Club president Des Leroy said: “We really believe that Rugfest has something for everyone, where else can you find brilliant food stalls mixed with a great selection of stuff for kids and family and the kind of music you would expect at a far, far bigger event.”

The other acts appearing over the two nights include Cutwater, Six Feet of Snow, Land of the Giants, Unusual Suspects, Flight of K, The Occasional Orchestra, Robert Bearsby, Quadrophobe and Lem and the White Fire.

Ticket prices are: £7.50 for Friday, £10 for Saturday and £15 for the weekend. Children under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult. Visit www.rugfest.co.uk