Meet the wonderful team behind CokerFest!

Alex Gater

1. What is your day job? Event Co-ordinator 
2. Why did you become involved with Cokerfest? It is an event and I must co-ordinate. Guess I’m just doing my job, Citizen.
3. What is your Cokerfest highlight so far?  Standing at the bar and watching the bands! What else is there?
4. What was cool when you were young but isn’t now? Me, and Top-Deck Shandy.
5. If you could choose one band to play at Cokerfest who would it be? Maybe Tom Waits or Jamie Cullum or Led Zep!

Bridget Sugg

1. What is your day job? Housewife, Chairman of East Coker Parish Council and Charity Work.
2. Why did you become involved with Cokerfest? I was asked as my role as Parish Council Chair to come on board to represent the village
3. What is your Cokerfest highlight so far?  To see people of all ages just having a great time.
4. What was cool when you were young but isn’t now? Port and Lemon (I still love one now!)
5. If you could choose one band to play at Cokerfest who would it be?  Fleetwood Mac

Emma Collins

1. What is your day job? PA to the Directors at West Country Cars
2. Why did you become involved with Cokerfest? It is a fantastic way to raise money for charity and have fun at the same time!
3. What is your Cokerfest highlight so far? Having Moxx play in the bar last year between the bands on the main stage – created an amazing atmosphere in the bar tent!
4. What was cool when you were young but isn’t now? Crimped hair and Boyzone!
5. If you could choose one band to play at Cokerfest who would it be?  I think Mumford and Sons would really suit our festival!

Jason Dobson

1. What is your day job? Jack of all trades, master of none!
2. Why did you become involved with Cokerfest? I have had a deep love of music most of my life and was a DJ in and around London and Surrey for many years, but there is nothing better than going and seeing a band live in my view. We had the idea of starting a festival as a family when we bought Longlands – and here we are!
3. What is your Cokerfest highlight so far? The day the gates opened to the first ever Cokerfest.
4. What was cool when you were young but isn’t now? Shell Suits
5. If you could choose one band to play at Cokerfest who would it be?  Daft Punk

John Sugg

1. What is your day job? Getting told what to do by the girls in the office at West Country Cars Yeovil.
2. Why did you become involved with Cokerfest? Somebody had to look after all the creative, arty folk!
3. What is your Cokerfest highlight so far? Mad Ferrets coming all the way from Scotland to perform for us!
4. What was cool when you were young but isn’t now? Morris Marina
5. If you could choose one band to play at Cokerfest who would it be?  Springsteen

Jon Wintersgill

1. What is your day job? Director of a local building services company in Yeovil, which has been in business for 30+ years.
2. Why did you become involved with Cokerfest? I became involved in Cokerfest to raise money for local charities by putting on an event that can be enjoyed by the local community.
3. What is your Cokerfest highlight so far? Selling out last year!
4. What was cool when you were young but isn’t now? Rubix Cube
5. If you could choose one band to play at Cokerfest who would it be? Kenny Rogers

Matthew Hodge

1. What is your day job? Lending money to businesses
2. Why did you become involved with Cokerfest? Because we raise money for a good cause. It’s something that is totally different from my day to day job and the event itself is great fun.
3. What is your Cokerfest highlight so far? Seeing the whole area in front of the stage jumping up and down and thoroughly enjoying themselves.
4. What was cool when you were young but isn’t now? Sony Walkman
5. If you could choose one band to play at Cokerfest who would it be? ELO

Paula Hodge

1. What is your day job? Advising individuals and business owners on how best to secure their financial futures. Oh, and being a Mum to 3 boys!
2. Why did you become involved with Cokerfest? St. Margaret’s Hospice is a charity very close to my heart. To be able to raise money for such a worthwhile cause, whilst being part of a very sociable and friendly committee makes the planning and build up to the event as enjoyable as the festival itself! There is a considerable commitment of time and effort by all of the committee members but it is well worth it to see local people enjoying the fruits of our labour in the heart of what is a most fabulous village location.
3. What is your Cokerfest highlight so far? Enjoying a Thatchers Haze Gin cocktail after the 8 hour bar shift last year and reflecting on the success of 2017 – there was a fantastic atmosphere and terrific party spirit, throughout the entire night
4. What was cool when you were young but isn’t now? Leg warmers and shoulder pads up to your ears! Though they both may be making a comeback!
5. If you could choose one band to play at Cokerfest who would it be? Elvis Costello and the Attractions.

Sandi Wintersgill

1. What is your day job? Holiday rentals for ski apartments in France.
2. Why did you become involved with Cokerfest? I was invited to join the committee by Jason, having done some fundraising in the village
3. What is your Cokerfest highlight so far?  This would have to be the success of the first year we staged Cokerfest. We really had no idea how many people would turn up and we had spent a lot of money on organising bands, bar, food, etc and we had only sold a minimal amount of tickets beforehand, so I was delighted and amazed at how many people turned out to support us in our first event. We even made enough profit to give a few charities a donation which was brilliant.
4. What was cool when you were young but isn’t now? Big hair, twilight teaser lipstick and electric blue mascara!
5. If you could choose one band to play at Cokerfest who would it be?  Cold Play – who knows – we may get there!