AN “IMMENSELY popular” boathouse festival has raised hundreds of pounds for the charity which saves lives at sea.

Just in time, the changeable weather took a turn for the better on Sunday, 28 May for the much-anticipated Boathouse Rocks music event in aid of Barmouth RNLI.

The wind dropped and the temperatures rose as Batala Bermo opened the event with their magnificent drumming, drawing crowds to the RNLI boathouse on the promenade.

The all-weather lifeboat, the Moira Barrie, was towed onto the beach to make room for local groups who generously gave their time and talents free, and crowds soon assembled to listen to the music, and to enjoy the freshly served pork baps and home-baked cakes.

Families, holidaymakers and locals all turned out to soak up the atmosphere at a superb afternoon’s entertainment.

The ever-faithful Roy Ellis with Al Dean and the band performed, with Gwynfor and Donna Morris, Chris Knowles, Anna Lewis, the Welfare Mothers, and many other stalwart supporters.

This year there was some young talent in the form of Callum Wright from Nantwich.

The audience were “spellbound” by his very impressive performance, and organisers said they felt sure the 18 year-old singer/songwriter was “surely destined for success”.

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