Festival founder dies days after wedding
He leaves behind his wife and a young daughter
Stu Housley was one of the people responsible for establishing the Big Love Festival in Usk, Monmouthshire
(Image: Big Love Festival)
Tributes have been paid to a "kind and caring" festival founder who died days after his wedding. The Big Love Festival organisers said they are "devastated" to announce that one of their founders, Stu Housley died earlier this week. Read here to know more about the Big Love Festival. He leaves behind his wife, Jo and a young daughter.
Stu fell ill in May this year with a "rare and aggressive" form of cancer, and had to spend most of his last couple of months in the hospital. However, despite his ill health, Stu was able to visit the Big Love Festival, which was held in Usk, Monmouthshire, from July 17 to July 20 this year. The festival is held annually and features music performances and other activities.
In a Facebook post organisers said that Stu had worked tirelessly over the last nine years to transform the festival into what it is today, and that he was "truly irreplaceable."
It reads: "Stu had worked tirelessly over the last nine years to build Big Love from a small weekend gathering into the celebration of music and art it is today.
"He never paid himself a penny, and was motivated by his love of music, bringing people together and putting on a damn good party." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
It added: "Stu loved the technical challenges of hosting a festival, and could turn his hand to almost anything, whether it was sound systems, lighting, plumbing, power or mechanics. Whatever the problem, he could always come up with a solution.
"He had a great imagination too, and was always planning ambitious ways to make Big Love even more fun or spectacular."
The post added that Stu "always went far out of his way to help anyone he knew in need, giving his time, advice and practical skills without hesitation."
Shortly after the festival ended, Stu married his fiancé Jo in an intimate ceremony attended by some of the festival's team members.
Tragically, he passed away a few days later.
The post continued: "Stu was taken ill in May, and spent a lot of the last couple of months in hospital. It was so difficult hosting the festival without him to guide things this year, but thankfully he made it up to the festival on Saturday to see if our work was up to his standard!
"So many wonderful people had pulled together to ensure this year's Big Love was the best yet, and we know Stu was delighted with how it came together. We could never have achieved it without his hard work and planning."
Though organisers said that Stu's death has left a "massive hole" in their hearts, they are powering ahead with preparations for the next year's festival.
"Stu truly was irreplaceable, at the core of the festival, so it's hard to contemplate continuing Big Love without him. However, after discussing things with him and his wife, we know he wanted the festival to continue and flourish," they shared.
"For that reason, after careful consideration, we have decided to go ahead with the launch of tickets for Big Love 2026 this week.
Article continues below
"We are heartbroken that Stu won't be there to celebrate ten years of Big Love next year, but we know that his wife and young daughter will be, to enjoy the fruits of his hard work.
"We can't think of a better tribute to Stu than to bring thousands of people together to share their love of music, arts and friendship. Stu's passing has left a massive hole in our hearts, but an incredible legacy."
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