Leighton Buzzard's Rock the Lock festival raises over £300 for men's mental health charity

Rock the Lock brought together artists of all ages and genres for a free, two-day festival at the Grove Lock Pub, organised by singer-songwriter Heidi Browne.

Despite the damp weather, the artists and the crowds kept the atmosphere amped, and £337 was donated to Walk and Talk for Men's Mental Health Leighton Buzzard.

Heidi said: "We had a range of genres from funk and folk to rock and indie. Our youngest performer was 15, and the oldest was in their 70s.

"We obviously had terrible weather that weekend so it was like a wartime camaraderie. There was a really good atmosphere – and we had a few people who came to watch one or two acts but ended up staying all day!"

Rock the Lock had a total of 14 acts playing a range of originals and covers, with artists from Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, and Leighton Buzzard.

These included 20 Twice Over (harmonising acoustic twins); Michael Green (acoustic soul); Matt Drew and his daughter Eliya (acoustic indie folk), Lou and Mac (jazz/bossanove/crooner); Manny (Nu soul); Dynasty (funk band); Rich Man's Trick (blues); Arabella; Mick Sane (indie/folk/ rock acoustic); Anna Swannell (soul folk); Bob from Sweetcornbread (folk/roots); Heidi Browne (soul/country); and rock trio Alias Grace.

Grannie, of Alias Grace, said: "We made a great day of it and stellared it out of the park. One of the bar staff even joined the festival as a guest trombonist. Thank you to Heidi – this was down to her energy and enthusiasm. She's got oodles of talent."

Jonathan Smith, trustee of Walk and Talk for Men's Mental Health Leighton Buzzard, and manager of The Bottle House, added: "Thank you; it doesn't matter if you gave a quid, 50p, the money genuinely makes a difference around Leighton Buzzard.

"You will probably pass someone in the street who it has helped and that is priceless."

Walk and Talk for Men's Mental Health organises walks around the town for men (aged 18 plus) to “promote good physical and mental health”.

The group also organises additional activities, such as retreats and book clubs, and anyone is welcome.

Jonathan said: "It's great. You can walk and walk and you don't have to look someone in the eye when you are chatting, it makes such a huge difference."

Jonathan says he had been "cheering them along from the sidelines" when he decided to become more involved.

The former headteacher lost his 16-year-old son to suicide and says that walking and talking to others about your problems – or just talking itself – really helps your mental health.

He added: "It's somewhere where men can just come and hang out. Everyone is welcome. Even something seemingly small can have a big impact; after a walk I just feel better over the next few days. What you talk about is irrelevant – what matters is you came."

To learn more about o Walk and Talk for Men's Mental Health, click here.

Rock the Lock will be moving to a new location next year – contact @heidibrownemusic to host or play.

> If you need support with your mental health, please call the Samaritans for free on 116 123.