BARNSLEY was transported to the Caribbean at the weekend for the first One Love rum and reggae festival.
Organised by The Garrison pub managers Robbie Gainey and Ellie Best alongside the Civic, the festival brought a mix of live music and a chance to explore new types of rum to Mandela Gardens and The Garrison itself.
‘Rum is the new gin,’ according to the pair  with unusual rum concoctions available for patrons to try.
Proceeds from tickets were donated to Barnsley Hospital’s Tiny Hearts Appeal, with donations being collected throughout the day.
Robbie, 37, said: “There hasn’t been anything like a reggae festival in Barnsley, and we’re trying to push rum as something people should get into, so it was just a case of giving it a try and hopefully making it beneficial to the charity as well.
“It was the first one we put on so we’ve got something to build on and learn from.
“The Civic have said everything went smoothly from their side.
“Everybody enjoyed it and the majority stayed all day until the last band finished at 10.30pm.”
On a stage set up in Mandela Gardens, live music was provided by a number of reggae artists UB40 tribute Ultimate 40, PJ’s One Drop, Cottage Cheese and Jives, Neil Diamondo and Cris Quammie.
A second stage in The Garrison was populated by high-profile local acts Killers and Kings, Big Bad Wolves, Mark Jackson’s CWOT, Tom Masters and Altamont.
The bar raised around £200, but they have yet to count donations from the boxes that were placed around during the day.
Robbie said he would definitely be looking to put the festival on again next year, alongside two more themed events.
