A drive to raise money for the island’s farming industry got off to a small but enthusiastic start on Thursday with the inaugural Farm Aid event.

About 500 people attended the concert at the Prison Officers’ Recreation Club in Dockyard, which featured Stone Love from Jamaica along with island acts Juggling Jason, Magic from Souljah 1 and Supatone. Complimentary dinner plates featuring island produce were also available.

Richard Bascome, owner of Westover Farm, said: “It was pretty good. We still have some food left. It was a modest crowd of about 500 people.”

Mr Bascome said the event got off to a slow start but picked up around 11pm. He said it received a good reception from those who attended.

He added: “It ended at about 3am. It was OK for a first off event.”

The event was organised with the Island Restaurant Group, Green Land Dairy, Amaral Farms, Westover Farm and Wadson’s Farm. It also had the backing of other restaurants, organisations and farms.

Mr Bascome previously explained that it would be “the beginning” of a movement to highlight the contribution of the agricultural sector to the island. He added that a general charity to promote farming was in the planning stages.

They hope to help people understand where their fresh produce comes from and to increase the amount produced on island.

Mr Bascome said yesterday that they were keen to host another event but would likely do it when there is more variety of locally grown produce available.

He added: “We’re taking it slow. It was a small start but we will move on from there.”