The Waverley Park Holiday Centre concluded its annual ‘Beer Poetry Music and More Beer Festival’ with a record-breaking flourish, raising a phenomenal £10,742.09 for the British Heart Foundation.
The much-loved event, held on 12th, 13th and 14th September 2025, was dedicated to the memory of the partnerships original founder, Peter Adams, who sadly passed away from a heart attack ten years ago.
2,000 pints served and a celebration of local talent
The 13th festival at the site, with the Adams family taking the bittersweet decision to sell, was a powerful show of community support and a fitting send-off.
The event lived up to its name with over 2,000 pints served and a celebration of local talent.
Musical highlights included sets from The Lords, Baggy Wrinkles, and Texus, while poet Happy Jon had the crowd in stitches with his deadpan and sometimes disturbing rhythmic visions.
Adams: A special tribute to the man who took on the park in 1999
Owner Julian Adams paid tribute to his father and the incredible community spirit. He said,
“This festival has become the institution it is today because of the hard work and dedication of so many people.
“With the sad loss of my father Peter in mind, we wanted this last event to be a special tribute to the man who took on the park in 1999.
“Without the tireless volunteers, the staff, the amazing bands, poets and magician and all those behind the scenes who really put there all into the amazing and occasionally daft weekend none of this would be possible.”
The success of the weekend was made possible by the generosity of key local businesses. Island Ales kindly donated a barrel of Earl’s RDA, Rockhopper Sounds provided the professional sound engineering throughout the weekend, and Solent Security offered their services on Saturday free of charge.
The funds raised will go directly to the British Heart Foundation’s vital work in funding life-saving research and supporting people affected by heart and circulatory diseases.
News shared by Julian, in his own words. Ed
