Ashley Cross, Poole
Friday 27th – Sunday 29th June 2025
Organisers are promising a golden weekend as Dorset’s best loved community festival gets ready to celebrate its silver jubilee this month. It’s now 25 years since Ashley Cross business owner Jan Crump had the idea of putting on a charity music festival on the open space at heart of the community. Grooves on the Green was the result and after the success last year of its first ever three-dayer, Jan is again promising a long weekend to remember.
“Three days means more music, more food, more stalls and more fun for all the family – it will be a golden time for Ashley Cross,” she says. “With it being our 25th anniversary we want to make the greatest Grooves ever so we’re going right back to our roots with a music line up that is all local, stall holders that are all local, and kids entertainers that are all local.”
Headlining Grooves on the Green are locally-based tribute acts Oasiss (Oasis), The Few Fighters (Foo Fighters), Stereoironics (Stereophonics) and Inspired by Adele (Adele). They’ll be supported by the very best from Dorset’s vibrant music scene including Volatile Agents, the medical marvels whose line-up includes doctors, surgeons, theatre medics and a member of the judiciary. Also appearing are crack ska band Rat Race, skiffle masters Quinns Quinney, rock hero Chris Payn and covers band Brass Monkeys, as well as Kingsmen, BH-Rock, Romanzas, Running Wylde and Andy O’Sullivan.
DJ Allan Turner-Ward will oversee the action as MC and Dorset’s premier fairground operators William Cole & Son are providing the rides. The Kidz Zone stars include Krazy Kev, Little Gizmos, Squidge & Pop, circus workshops, Jamie Jigsaw, Minkie Moos, and the marvellous Mr Merlin.
“Ashley Cross is already in the mood for a party,” adds Jan. “Grooves was started as a summer focal point for this wonderful community and that’s exactly what it is today with residents and local businesses all working together to create that special, magical Grooves vibe.”
In recent years Grooves on the Green has raised in the region of £50,000 for Diverse Abilities Plus to continue its invaluable work supporting children and adults with physical and learning disabilities. Jan’s son Brandon is a service user and has been instrumental in raising raffle prizes from local businesses. Alongside the ever popular Bricklayers Bar and Groove Garden Bar, drinkers will find Butcombe Brewing Co and Shepherd Neame beers. There’s the all-essential Coffee Cart, as well as slush and milkshakes. Plenty of Pimms, gins and cocktails complete the drinks line-up.
Foodies will love the tasty treats from the likes of Mimi’s African Street Food, Greek Catering 4U, Bao Beast and Bratwurst UK, not to mention Fire House Pizza, Ice Cream Bournemouth, Cakes & Bakes, and South Coast Sweet Delights, as well as cheese and charcuterie. Grooves on the Green runs from 4pm on Friday and 11am on Saturday and Sunday with bars closing at 9pm on Friday and Saturday and 7pm on Sunday when the park will be opened to the public again.
Live Music Stage Times
Friday
Andy O’Sullivan 17:00pm
BH-Rock 18:20pm
Stereoironics 19:45pm
Saturday
Running Wylde 12:30pm
Chris Payn 13:50pm
Oassis 15:10pm
Quins Quinney 16:30pm
Few Fighters 17:50pm
Volatile Agents 19:30pm
Sunday
The Romanzas 12:30pm
Brass Monkeys 13:45pm
Inspired by Adele 15:00pm
Kingsmen 16:50pm
Ratrace 17:35pm
Family Entertainment Stage
Friday 17:00pm – 18:30pm Circus Workshop – Circus Skills
Friday 19:00pm – 19:30pm Circus Workshop – Fire Show
Saturday 12:15pm – 14:15pm Krazy Kev – Family Show
Saturday 14:45pm – 15:45pm Squidge & Pop – Bubble Show
Saturday 16:15pm – 18:15pm Little Gizmo’s – Character Meet & Greet
Sunday 12:15pm – 13:15pm Mr Merlin – Magic & Comedy Show
Sunday 13:45pm – 15:45pm Minky Moos – Character Meet & Greet
Sunday 16:15pm – 18:15pm Jamie Jigsaw – Family Show
Links
https://groovesonthegreen.com
https://www.facebook.com/grooves.ashley.cross
