Top line-up at The Hop event in Stottesdon (From Hereford Times)

Top line-up at The Hop event in Stottesdon

LIVE music, award-winning real ale, local food and activities for children are all on offer at The Hop, a ‘feel-good family gathering’ at Stottesdon in south Shrop-shire on September 27.

The event is presented by Jake Flowers, in association with Hobsons Brewery, at the village’s Old Vicarage Adventure Centre.

Rising Shropshire star Flowers, who has played at festivals including Glaston-bury and The Green Man, as well as at venues across the UK, has hand-picked the acts for The Hop.

The live music will begin at noon with a selection of local acts from Jake’s successful Sustenance and Song nights held weekly at the Fighting Cocks pub in Stottesdon.

They include new Manchester sensation Jack Mahoney, with his unique stand on Irish folk rebel blues, the winner of Ben and Jerry’s Moo Sessions competition Carrie Hayden, and Bishop’s Castle band Fight The Bear, fresh from a recording session in the USA, providing an upbeat blend of ska, indie and rock.

Also on the line-up is Icelandic elf Hafdis Huld, “a cross between Bjork and Cerys Matthews on a diet of candyfloss”, according to The Guardian Jake himself will perform his heartfelt country-groomed folk pop in the early evening, and The Hop will provide a very early chance to catch local lad Max Rafferty (formerly of The Kooks) with his new indie outfit, The Third Man.

Headlining the event are Danny and the Champions of the World with their unique brand of ramshackle good-time country soul, whose debut album gained widespread critical acclaim on its release last year.

Entrance to The Hop is by advance ticket only, available at ticketweb.co.uk or by calling 08444 771000, priced £15 (adult), £7.50 (child) and £37 (family of two adults plus two children). Profits will be donated to the Midlands Air Ambulance.