Popular music festival hailed as ‘a monumental success’

Now in its ninth year, CARLFest welcomed visitors to the Mariners Rest, in Lowestoft, for an invite-only event in the pub garden. Pictures: Inallhonesty Media (Image: Paul Thurston)

Continuing the legacy of a Lowestoft man who died from a rare form of cancer, CARLFest returned with a special virtual festival over the bank holiday weekend at The Mariners Rest in Lowestoft.

Now in its ninth year, CARLFest welcomed visitors to the Mariners Rest, in Lowestoft, for an invite-only event in the pub garden. Pictures: Inallhonesty Media (Image: Paul Thurston)

Now in it’s ninth year, CARLFest was due to welcome visitors to the popular pub for an array of live music in memory of former barman Dean ‘Carl’ Lawson.

Now in its ninth year, CARLFest welcomed visitors to the Mariners Rest, in Lowestoft, for an 'invite-only' event in the pub garden. PHOTO: Inallhonesty Media (Image: Paul Thurston)

But amid the continuing coronavirus crisis, the festival was successfully streamed online, with performances from 15 acts broadcast on Facebook and YouTube on Friday and Saturday.

Now in its ninth year, CARLFest welcomed visitors to the Mariners Rest, in Lowestoft, for an 'invite-only' event in the pub garden. PHOTO: Inallhonesty Media (Image: Paul Thurston)

An ‘invite-only’ event in the pub garden on Sunday was hailed by organisers from the Care And Real Lovin’ charitable foundation (CARL) as “a monumental success.”

Now in its ninth year, CARLFest welcomed visitors to the Mariners Rest, in Lowestoft, for an 'invite-only' event in the pub garden. PHOTO: Inallhonesty Media (Image: Paul Thurston)

Darren Steger-Lewis, trustee of the charitable foundation set up by Mr Lawson in 2012, said: “The festival went amazingly well, raising over £2,000 for Care And Real Lovin’.

Now in its ninth year, CARLFest welcomed visitors to the Mariners Rest, in Lowestoft, for an invite-only event in the pub garden. Pictures: Inallhonesty Media (Image: Paul Thurston)

“The response was humbling, we reached over 20,000 people via our Facebook page and had views of close to 10,000 across the weekend’s performances.

Now in its ninth year, CARLFest welcomed visitors to the Mariners Rest, in Lowestoft, for an 'invite-only' event in the pub garden. PHOTO: Inallhonesty Media (Image: Paul Thurston)

“Although we hope never to have to do the event in this format exclusively, we do plan to incorporate a virtual element into next year – CARLFest X The 10 year anniversary.

Now in its ninth year, CARLFest welcomed visitors to the Mariners Rest, in Lowestoft, for an 'invite-only' event in the pub garden. PHOTO: Inallhonesty Media (Image: Paul Thurston)

“Sunday was a monumental success.

Now in its ninth year, CARLFest welcomed visitors to the Mariners Rest, in Lowestoft, for an 'invite-only' event in the pub garden. PHOTO: Inallhonesty Media (Image: Paul Thurston)

“All that were invited attended and it was operated very safely and securely by the team at the Mariners Rest.

Now in its ninth year, CARLFest welcomed visitors to the Mariners Rest, in Lowestoft, for an invite-only event in the pub garden. Pictures: Inallhonesty Media (Image: Paul Thurston)

“All the videos are still available across our Facebook and YouTube pages and the gofundme.com/cf2020 site will remain open until this coming Monday.”

Now in its ninth year, CARLFest welcomed visitors to the Mariners Rest, in Lowestoft, for an invite-only event in the pub garden. Pictures: Inallhonesty Media (Image: Paul Thurston)

After raising £4,000 with the inaugural 2012 event, the group have gone on to raise more than £35,000 to help members of the community who are affected financially due to illness.

Now in it?s ninth year, CARLFest welcomed visitors to the Mariners Rest, in Lowestoft, for an ?invite-only? event in the pub garden. Pictures: Inallhonesty Media (Image: Paul Thurston)

Mr Lawson was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, which was later identified as Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of the disease in which cancer cells are found in the bone or soft tissue.

Now in its ninth year, CARLFest welcomed visitors to the Mariners Rest, in Lowestoft, for an 'invite-only' event in the pub garden. PHOTO: Inallhonesty Media (Image: Paul Thurston)

He went on to work behind the bar of the Mariner’s Rest, becoming popular with customers.

For more information, visit the foundation’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/CareAndRealLovin/