A Ledbury pub has paid tribute to its former landlord and “local legend” with a weekend of loud shirts and live music.

Andy Fest saw bands playing at the Talbot Hotel across three days in memory of Andy Ward, who died earlier this year.

The larger-than-life character, known for his bright shirts, had moved to the Isle of Man with wife Maria following his retirement from the pub in 2020.

Current landlord Richard Jennings organised the event to give people in Ledbury the chance to pay their respects.

The Shy Teds, The Roadrunners and Ledbury’s own Nice n Sleazy played across the weekend and punters were encouraged to wear their loudest outfits in tribute to Mr Ward.

Layne Horner, head chef at the Talbot, said: “It was fantastic. Many of the regulars came in their loudest shirts oin honour of Andy’s unique fashion sense and even on the Sunday afternoon, when people are tired and hungover, people came and joined in.

The Talbot pays tribute to Andy Ward

“It was busy all weekend but it wasn’t about putting money in the till, it was more about paying tribute to Andy - he was here for 20 years and he was Mr Ledbury really.

READ MORE: Ledbury pub plans musical tribute to former landlord

“Because he’d moved to the Isle of Man we didn’t have the chance to attend a funeral or a wake, so thankfully [Andy’s widow] Maria gave her blessing to the fest and it went really well.”

Bob Greening, who played the festival with Nice n Sleazy, said: “Like a lot of people, I knew Andy and he was a larger than life character and a local legend.

Ledbury Reporter: Former landlord Andy Ward at one of many fundraising events held at the TalbotFormer landlord Andy Ward at one of many fundraising events held at the Talbot

“I think it was a nice touch of Rich, the current landlord at the Talbot, to celebrate Andy's life and ‘raise a glass’ to him and his memory by having a brilliant three-day event with some great local bands on.

“It was a great, well-supported weekend and a lot of fun in the sunshine.”

Mr Ward’s death in January sparked tributes from not only Ledbury but from its twin town of Stromstad in Sweden.

The former Talbot landlord was instrumental in the formation of the towns’ union and also served as chairman of Ledbury’s tourism association.