THE town of Ross-on-Wye is set to honour two home grown musicians in a weekend celebration of Pete Overend Watts and Dale ‘Buffin’ Griffin, the founding members of Mott the Hoople.

At a recent Ross Town Council meeting it was suggested that the town should be renamed Mott-on-Wye as part of Mott Fest 2025 which takes place at the Corn Exchange and will trace the band’s roots and will feature live music, film screenings and spoken word events.

The event will include the unveiling of a blue plaque at the Hope and Anchor and a memorial bench along the Rope Walk.

Nick Stephens, a spokesman for both musician’s families said: “To celebrate the achievements of both Pete and Buffin, Mott Fest hopes that this event will hold them as an inspiration for the youth of the town and to believe in themselves and that even though they live in a small market town they can make it, and make it big.

“Mott Fest aims to put Ross on the map for thousands of Mott the Hoople fans worldwide who will visit the town and the bench as a pilgrimage site. The event also aims to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society who helped Buffin in his final years and for St Michael’s Hospice where Pete spent his final months.”

Mott the Hoople’s hits in the 1970s included ‘All the Young Dudes’, ‘All the Way from Memphis’, ‘Roll Away the Stone’ and ‘The Golden Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll’. They were the only group that Queen ever supported.

● All The Way from Ross-on-Wye, a look back at the early days of Mott the Hoople on page 7.