Domestic abuse survivor to host fundraising festival at Southampton pub

Tara Jepson, who took over the Yacht Tavern in Woolston, Southampton, last September, hopes to raise up to £5,000 for the Women’s Aid charity through the family-fun event.

The Yacht, Stock & Barrel event will run all day on Saturday, 4 August, beginning at 10am and finishing at 12.20am.

All-day music

Ten bands will take to the stage throughout the day, with a mix of local bands and one of the country’s top Queen tribute bands to end the night.

All participating bands have waived their fees in order to help the cause.

The aim of Women’s Aid is to ensure women's safety from domestic violence, and it promotes policies to prevent domestic violence.

Jepson said: “It's a charity very close to my heart.

“Women's Aid and Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service in a combined effort [came up with] a safety plan and got me out of a relationship I was in, along with the support of five different police forces."

When she isn’t pulling pints at her seaside pub, Jepson writes about her experiences through her blog, Phoenix Rising.

Family fun

The festival will feature family activities including a bouncy castle, bucking bronco, and a candy floss machine.

Two slush puppie machines, one with alcohol for adults, will be on site, and there will be an outdoor barbecue with burgers and hot dogs, and cake stalls.

A Fender guitar, which has been painted with a phoenix in homage to Jepson’s blog, has been donated by a local music shop to be auctioned off.

Jepson hopes the event will raise between £3,000 and £5,000 for the charity.

She added: “This is our first charity fundraiser for them but it is something that will continue going forward.”