An exciting new al fresco venue has joined the Musical Mystery Tour in the county town for this year’s Hertford Music Festival.

The annual music extravaganza will include a new stage at McMullen’s Brewery Yard on August Bank Holiday Sunday, August 26, 2018.

Hertford Music Festival co-chairman Kev Saunders said: “Every year we’ve got new venues, new sponsors and new artists to get excited about.

“But this year we’ve got a very special new venue on board, courtesy of long-standing supporters McMullens.”

The brewery yard in Old Cross will host entertainment on the day.

Kev said: “The Musical Mystery Tour is in essence up to 40 separate events all happening simultaneously in and around the town, which makes it a rather hectic day if you’re hoping to catch as many acts as possible.”

Fellow co-chairman Rob Quinn added: “With more and more people flooding into Hertford every year, it’s been literally ‘standing room only’ at most venues – indoors and outdoors – so we’re particularly pleased to welcome McMullen’s yard in Old Cross into our happy Hertford band.

“We’ve been talking over the possibilities with Tom McMullen for some months and between us we’ve decided to make this one something of a haven from all the hubbub.”

That means the brewery’s picturesque yard will be a relaxed, family-friendly, mainly daytime space from 1pm to 9pm with plenty of seating.

Kev Saunders is assembling a line-up with that in mind.

Topping the bill are Somewhere 2 Sing.

A community choir numbering up to 120 singers with a range of music from Jess Glynne’s Hold My Hand to songs from the popular The Greatest Showman soundtrack, Somewhere 2 Sing offer a variety of uplifting material from some wonderfully enthusiastic performers.

Choir director Duncan Rutherford said: “After three years providing technical support to the Musical Mystery Tour, it’s very refreshing to be able to stand on the other side of the sound desk and introduce these lovely people.

“We’re made up of local music lovers, we love singing and are just incredibly excited to perform on stage at this year’s festival.”

Both Kev and Rob are keen to express their appreciation of McMullen’s support.

They said: “Obviously as the local brewery, Macs are as much part of Hertford’s DNA as we are – and it’s gratifying that they’re as keen as we are to keep Hertford’s music scene ‘Alive and Kicking’ to quote the strapline for a certain brand of beer!”

• For more on the Musical Mystery Tour, visit www.hertfordmusicfestival.co.uk