Heartbeat

Cobfest 2008 featured more than 20 bands and was organized in memory of talented fiddler Robert "Cob" Cook, who died suddenly at the age of 53 after suffering a heart attack in June 2006.

Cob was a long-standing member of the folk punk band, The Cropdusters, who toured all over Europe and appeared at the Reading Festival. He died unexpectedly following a swim in the sea and never benefited from treatment at the Wessex Cardiac Centre.

His former band mates from The Cropdusters reformed and headlined at the two-day festival, which took place at Shorefield Country Park, nr Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April.

left - right.....Shaun Morris, Mike Case, Lamma Maund

The line-up of bands included Some Dogs, The Highliners, Pronghorn, Lady Winwood's Maggot, The Vulture, Moosehead, Hip Fandango and DJ Chris Brown the Rock ‘n' Roll Town Crier.

Last year, the inaugural Cobfest raised more than £4,000 in memory of Cob, who was the Cropdusters' original fiddle player, and lived in Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire.

Shaun Morris, vocalist with The Cropdusters, who lives in Pilley in the New Forest said: "It was an overwhelming success and everyone was buzzing about it - we hope it was a fitting tribute to Cob.."

Wessex Heartbeat's Chief Executive Officer, D'Arcy Myers said: "The year-on- year support from the Cobfest is really appreciated, and a fitting tribute to a talented musician. I was delighted this year to have the chance to attend on the Saturday and was chuffed to wear my Cobfest wristband - although I wasn't offering my services as a roadie this time round!"

"The work of Wessex Heartbeat is very much based in the community supporting those who have suffered from or are risk of suffering from heart disease, as well as their families.