Marius from No 1 Station proves cheap sunglasses are in vogue this summer. (0629304)

VALE CASTLE was rocking on Sunday night as thousands of islanders flocked to the Vale Earth Fair.
The event, which started over 30 years ago, attracted a record crowd – who weren’t disappointed with over 40 acts playing on five stages.
‘The turnout has been phenomenal this year, it’s really busy and there is a great atmosphere,’ said Barney, one of the Earth Fair organisers.
He said that while other festivals were starting to emerge there was no comparison to the annual August event which had something for all.
‘People generally want a diverse range of music. There is always going to be bands which appeal to different people so we have to cater for that and make sure everyone is happy.’
Alabama 3 headlined the Castle Stage with UK bands Titan System, Future Shape of Sound and No. 1 Station also on the bill.
One of the acts, Hijack Oscar, shot to fame last year when they won a Channel 4 competition to find the best unsigned band.
‘Guernsey is lovely. We went to the beach and swam with a sea lion yesterday. It scared the hell out of me,’ said Tim Fox, the band’s lead singer.
The York group, like several of the bands, were staying at the Fauxquets Valley campsite and had time to explore some of the island.
‘Vale Castle is beautiful. It’s a really nice venue. Everyone has been great and it’s all for a good cause,’ he said.
The band are planning to spend the next six months working on a new album with the title Black Sheep Money Box and then go out on tour.
‘We’ve been doing festivals up and down the country but this is the best organised. I’d be happy to come back here,’ he said.
Guernsey band Gay Army are opening Jersey Live next weekend, but there is nothing like a gig on your own doorstep.
‘We were really looking forward to the Earth Fair, far more so than Jersey Live because it’s our home crowd,’ said band member Jo Reeve.
‘We are excited to be on the bill at Jersey Live because it’s such a good line-up but the one here is also good. It’s been a great couple of weeks for us.’