Paul Jones helps Whitby 60s Festival celebrate 21 years with special anniversary surprise
A slice of 60s history was celebrated at Whitby Pavilion when music icon Paul Jones presented a special 21st anniversary cake to festival promoter Chris Wood.
Jones, the original lead singer of Manfred Mann and a current member of The Manfreds, who were headlining on stage during the weekend - performing many of the group’s biggest hits, including the million-selling Do Wah Diddy Diddy, alongside 5-4-3-2-1, Pretty Flamingo, If you've gotta go, Sha La La and many more 60s greats.
The cake presentation came during the latest three-day Whitby 60s Festival, which now takes place twice a year, in June and September.
Paul, who headlined the anniversary weekend, said there was an even greater personal attachment to the occasion.
He said: “I’ve loved performing at Whitby 60s Festival a number of times over the years, but this weekend felt different.
"There was an even greater attachment to the occasion, knowing we were celebrating 21 years and everything Chris and his team have built here.
"It was a wonderful weekend of celebration and I’m delighted to have been part of it.”
The cake presentation proved a particularly moving moment for Chris, who was surprised by the reaction from the audience.
He said: “I got hugely emotional when Paul called my name and then everyone stood up to applaud me.
"It was a very special moment.”
But one of the weekend’s most touching moments came away from the stage when a regular festival-goer approached Chris to tell him how much the events had meant to him and his late wife.
Chris said: “He told me he had lost his wife five years ago and that they had both loved coming to these shows.
"Before she passed away, she told him to make sure he kept attending.
“He has done that and, through continuing to come along, has made some wonderful friendships and is now loving life and with a partner that he met right here with us at a previous festival.
"It really moved me that these events had touched someone’s life in such a strong way and proved to be a real game changer.”
Chris also paid tribute to his wife Christine, who has been a huge support throughout the festival’s 21-year journey.
He said: “Christine has been a huge support over the years and a calming influence during some of the more stressful moments that inevitably come with organising events of this size.
"Her encouragement, understanding and support have helped me more than she will ever know.”
National UK station Boom Radio with legendary presenter such as Simon Bates and David Hamilton has also been a major promotional force for the festival.
Chris said the 21st anniversary was a milestone, but there was no question of the music stopping.
He said: “The 60s will always be a remarkable decade for so many people and I just want to keep the music alive.
"We are already taking bookings for next June and September.”