TWANG IN THE PAST! - A brief look back through the ages by We are VR

TRAGIC

On the 14th April, 2006, Alexandra van Rensburg passed away age just 15 at Southampton Hospital. Born with Noonan's syndrome, she was a bubbly character who loved animals and people and despite her disability she absolutely loved life. Her death, which was caused by a completely unrelated illness, is a stark reminder of how cruel and unfair life can be and left many people heartbroken.
Over 300 people attended her funeral at All Hallows Church in Whitchurch and it was in her memory that her brother and his friend Chris Miller came up with the idea of holding a music festival in her memory to help other disadvantaged children.

TWANG IN THE PUB - 27/5/06
The first, the original and perhaps the most memorable event was held at the Kings Arms on the 27th of May 2006 and packed the place to the rafters. Twang in the Pub pulled in the crowds from all over Whitchurch and the surrounding region and was a mammoth success. Headlined by Alexandra's brother's hip hop group The UK Alliance (known then as One Icon), the bill featured extremely talented unsigned acts such as progressive metal outfit Sub Rosa, Rock crowd pleasers Polyrocket and a legendary performance from grindcore outfit Dead Sea Fuckin' Scrolls. The day went perfectly attracting adults and kids alike from all across the region and all money raised was donated to Icknield School by the team.

TWANG 2 - NOVEMBER 2006
A lesser known and smaller spin off event was hosted at the same venue and again featured The UK Alliance, Polyrocket and a first stage appearance by Joe and Olie who would go on to become The Have it Your Ways. The event was much more lowkey but still raised a few hundred quid for cancer research UK!


TWANG 3 - 26/5/07
Exactly a year after the first Twang in the Pub, Twang 3 was hosted a larger venue to accomodate its growing following. Another all day event which took place at Testbourne Community School, Twang 3 featured the 3 original headliners from the first Twang in the Pub and was a bruising encounter - literally! Showcasing local talents like The Guns of Pig Alley(;)), Kyoto and unearthing the now absolutely legendary band Le Chat Noir, Twang 3 ALMOST ended in disaster when a full-scale riot broke out onstage involving The Guns of Pig Alley and Sub Rosa. Once everyone had calmed down, the event was just seconds away from being cut prematurely short before security were persuaded to let the event proceed and Sub Rosa put on a storming headline performance to end on a high. Another massive success, over £1200 was raised and donated to local charity Naomi House Hospice


TWANG ROCKS - 26/7/2008
In July 2008, Twang was merged with Testbourne Rocks(a one off charity event) and its name changed to Twang Rocks and then eventually became TWANGFEST which is still going today.

THIS SEPTEMBER SEES TWANG IN THE PUB RETURN TO ITS ORIGINAL VENUE, OVER FOUR YEARS AFTER THE ORIGINAL TOOK PLACE. KEEP CHECKING BACK HERE TO SEE DETAILS AS THEY HAPPEN!