THE band The Belgians, who will make an appearance at the Castell Roc festival this summer, met up for the first time in two decades in Chepstow.

The four piece had their heyday in the 1980s and had a weekly residency at The Queen's Hotel in Newport for a year.

Their reunion was masterminded by the festival’s organiser Carol Mutlow, whose guitar teacher is the band’s guitarist Ian Luther.

She said: “I just contacted them and they all said yes. I used to go to watch them play.”

Jess Butler, the band’s squeezebox player, travelled down from her home in Tomich in the Scottish Highlands to meet her former band mates, led by her former boyfriend Mr Luther.

Originally from Cwmbran, she stayed with her mother there and will do the same when the band plays their concert at Chepstow Castle on August 21 as support for The South.

The band’s drummer Garry Davies lives in Shirenewton and bouzouki player Dave Cox, also a member of Gwent band Rogora Kart, lives in Newport.

It has been confirmed Rhydian Roberts will also play the festival.

Mr Roberts, currently sitting atop the official classical album charts with One Day Like This, will perform at the castle on August 30.

For further information and for tickets contact Hannah’s Music on 01291 627122, visit castellroc.co.uk or email sales@hannahsmusic.co.uk.