A WEEKEND of celebrations to honour two Wye Valley musicians who co-founded Mott the Hoople – Pete Overend Watts and Dale Buffin Griffin – concluded with the unveiling of a riverside bench and a blue plaque.

At the unveiling in Ross-on-Wye’s Rope Walk, Jane Watts, brother of Pete, said that the weekend was amazing with the number of musicians playing at Mott Fest and added: “The whole weekend has been so emotional from joy to sorrow, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

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MEMORIAL BENCH: Jane Watts, sister of Pete and Buffin Griffin's siblings Anna, Bill and Bob. (Tindle)

“The fans of Mott and the other groups that came along afterwards were so dedicated and it was great to meet them all.

“There was a lot of video shown of the early days. Some people were laughing, and others were in tears. We were so involved right from the early days as a family, so it was difficult to know what that was like for the fans.

“But it was the dedication of these fans which enabled this memorial bench dream to become a reality.”

The unveiling of the memorial bench to Pete Watts and Buffin Griffin, musicians with Mott the Hoople.

Buffin’s brother Bill Griffin said: “Everybody seems to have enjoyed the festival, which has welcomed people from overseas, as well as those travelling from across the country and those living locally.

“I can’t imagine how proud our parents’ and Jane parents’ would be to see this moment and see their boys commemorated in this way.”

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ALL THE YOUNG DUDES: Some of the 100 people who attended the memorial bench unveiling at the Rope Walk in Ross. (Tindle)

The memorial bench ceremony concluded with a rendition of ‘All The Young Dudes’ by the 100-strong audience, which had gattered at the Rope Walk

Mott Fest co-ordinator Simon Rowberry said: “It was a fantastic weekend of music, nostalgia, reunions and it was very emotional and a tribute

“The event was more than we could have hoped for. It was a fantastic turnout and could have easily sold double the number of tickets.

“Things, mostly technical, went wrong, but it wouldn’t be Mott the Hoople if things didn’t go wrong.

“We came through it all and this is the culmination to which both charities, the Alzheimer’s Society and St Michael’s Hospice, will receive a substantial sum.”

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THE MOTT FAMILY: Jane Watts, sister of Pete and Buffin Griffin's siblings Anna, Bill and Bob with Mott the Hoople musicians Verden Allen and Morgan Fisher. (Tindle)

The blue plaque unveiling at the Hope and Anchor was a Ross Town Council initiative as this is where the band, known at the time as The Anchors played in their formative years before Pete and Buffin became the Soulents and establishing their musical careers, before being founding members of Mott the Hoople.

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BLUE PLAQUE: Mayor of Ross, Cllr Linden Delves unveils the blue plaque dedicated to Pete Watts and Buffin Griffin, founder members of Mott the Hoople, who began their musical careers at the town's Hope and Anchor. (Tindle)

Cllr Ed O’Driscoll said: “I am delighted to see the first of the blue plaques being unveiled. It is impressive that so many people have supported this event to honour the Ross musicians and the festival itself.”

Mayor Cllr Linden Delves, who also opened Mott Fest, said it was a pleasure to be invited to be part of the festival and perform the unveiling of the blue plaque.

Mott Fest was sponsored by At Broads, River Music, The Studio with Tasha, the Hope and Anchor and the King’s Head.