You’ve got us singing the blues...

FATHER and son blues lovers David and Thomas Wood prepare for Diggle’s first blues festival this weekend

Father and son stage music festival thanks

As crowds gathered for the 1995 beer walk in Diggle, blues fan David Wood let his eight-year-old Down’s Syndrome son accompany a family friend to visit the chip shop.

The father-of-two was overwhelmed with a sense of local pride when, upon return, the friend told him that he had been stopped five times by concerned locals asking: “Who are you and what are you doing with Thomas?”

Fifteen years later and after battling cancer and taking early retirement, David (58) wants to give something back to his caring community by way of a weekend of music — starting tonight.

Diggle’s first free Blues festival is scheduled for this weekend — and with nine concerts and three venues signed up, it looks set to be a corker.

Son Thomas, now 23, is also getting in on the act.

David said: “He’s been promoted to chief salesman and he can’t wait to get out there.

He is a bit of a local celebrity, so many people go out of their way to be helpful.

“I really love artists like Muddy Waters, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Elmore James. I’ve been to Marsden jazz festival and wanted to re-create a bit of that spirit in Diggle.”

The festival is planned so that music lovers can catch each gig — from tonight to Sunday — with the Diggle Hotel, Diggle Band Club and the Hanging Gate taking their turns to play host to local blues artists.

The first gig will take place at at the Diggle Hotel at 6.30 this evening, with bands taking to the stage at the other venues at 8 and 9.30pm.