This weekend's Helstonbury festival is to be dedicated to those lost over the past year and in previous years.

This year's festival, which begins on Thursday for the first time, will particularly honour long-standing event co-organiser Al Rideout, venue owner Simon Stone's son Henry and musician Dave Sugarbeet, who all lost their lives over the last 12 months.

Now in its 18th year and evolved into one of the biggest music festivals in Cornwall, raising £75,000 to date for good causes, organisers have promised that while bittersweet, Helstonbury 2018 will "rock the Blue Anchor pub in Helston like it's never been rocked before."

They said: "Recent months have witnessed a great deal of sadness and tragedy, and the passing of Al Rideout, Dave Sugarbeet and young Henry Stone has turned the Helstonbury world upside down.

"So, this year the festival will be dedicated to Al, Dave and Henry, and others who have been loved

and lost over the years. This year’s amazing line up is fitting for such an occasion and should make Helstonbury 2018 an event to remember."

Falmouth Packet:

For the first time, this year's event will kick off with a "Fringe" event tomorrow, from 8pm, featuring a chilled jazz night courtesy of Helston School Jazz Orchestra - which this year received £1,200 in funding from Helstonbury, towards the cost of uniforms for the 25-piece band, concert stands, signage and an overseas concert tour. Tickets cost £5 on the door.

The main festival then begins on Friday with the Helstonbury Introducing Stage from 6.40pm, which is all about up and coming talent. Set up and run for many years by Al Rideout, this year Holly Turton and Andrew 'Scooby' Plenty pick up the baton with staggered performances on this stage and the Helston Music Foundation

Stage.

"Helstonbury Friday will be a celebration of both the future and the past, paying tribute to the life

and work of 'Big Al', co founder and organiser of Helstonbury, who sadly passed away June 2018

after a fierce battle with cancer.

"Alan Rideout's life long commitment to live music and in particular his tireless dedication to mentoring young musicians was unlimited. So many musicians, young and old, have been encouraged and inspired by Al to pursue their musical dreams," added the organisers, who said his memory would "live on" through this night.

Helstonbury Saturday will then see the Blue Anchor bristling with musical talent. Another new stage has been added this year called "Helstonbury Introduced" at the front of the pub, providing performance space for graduates of Al's Kids Like to Rock Stage who are not yet on the main stages.

In addition, there's also the Cannon Stage in the skittle alley, the Special Stage in the outer beer garden and the Acoustic Stage in the covered beer garden. Performances start just after noon and bands to watch out for include Even Nine, Blackout, Riders To Ruin and the perennial favourites Bobby's Helmet.

To finish the festival on a high, Helstonbury Sunday has a full day of events and activities starting sedately at 11am with the Sunday Service and Military Wives Choir, but then ramping up the energy to full blown party mode with Shabby Chic at 1pm.

The knees up then continues throughout the afternoon and evening with help from bands like GoGo Skank, The Roustabouts, Stone Roots, Snake Oil and The Olives before rounding the night off with the popular 'silent disco'.

Tickets for all days can only be purchased on the door, on a first come, first served basis.

A one day ticket costs £10, a weekend ticket covering Friday, Saturday and Sunday costs £20.