THANKS to the Echo story on Grove Infant School’s missing marquee, there will now be two large tents available at the Big Grove Summer Music Festival in July.

Last year, the Portland school paid out £1,000 for a marquee which was stored in premises apart from the school after the festival – but when the school governors went to retrieve it in January they were shocked to find it had gone and despite their best efforts, no trace could be found.

Neil Charlton from the Clifton Hotel immediately came to the rescue with the offer of the pub’s marquee and this was gratefully accepted by Grove headteacher Jane Hurdiss.

Then came the big surprise when an archery club contacted Mrs Hurdiss to say that it had the marquee.

The club uses the same storage facility and, on having a clear-out, found the marquee but didn’t know who it belonged to or what to do with it until members saw the story in the Echo.

Not only is Mr Charlton still lending his marquee but is adding the use of parasols, tables and chairs which will seat another 100 visitors to the festival and Grove deputy headteacher Jackie Thomas said: “This is great news and with the hoped-for sunshine it will add a real continental flavour to the event in the YOI Bowl.

Mr Charlton said: “The school is welcome to borrow anything, including bar equipment, for the festival as we at the Clifton Hotel are more than delighted to be part of this big community event.

“It is great to see the community getting together again and it’s all thanks to the co-operation between Grove Infant School and Portland YOI.”

Mrs Hurdiss expressed her gratitude to the Clifton Hotel adding: “All of this help will add greatly to our festival and we are looking forward to working closely with Mr Charlton and his staff.”