The Midsomer Arts Festival Market and Event day was a great success again this year. The sun shone brightly on all of the artists and performers and all the visitors who came to look, listen and appreciate their creativity, imagination and skill.

Gorgeous music filled the air, from a diverse range of singers and musicians. Groups such as Norton Hill School, Merriman Theatre Group and Susan Hill School of Dance drew big crowds and impressed with their talent and enthusiasm. Planet Puppets, from Bath, captivated young and old with their shows, and will do again when they appear at the Town Fayre next month. Frome-based Soulcats played beautiful summery folk music, local bands, Guts and the Original Barn Finds had the audience clapping and dancing along, and Paul Rogers and The Chumley Warner Brothers added to the variety of offerings.

New this year was spoken word by local group, Barn Poets, based at the Bookbarn. The music was drawn to a close with an energetic performance from James Harriman, a Bath singer promoting his new CD, who had the crowd singing and clapping along enthusiastically.

There were activities including drawing and flag making which many children and adults took part in.

Graffiti artists DeeKay, Guts, Street and MimiInc created quite an impression with their incredible and enormous artwork, which they made during the day. Keep an eye open for its appearance again in the near future. A rich and varied exhibition of art and photography also took place in the Council Chambers.

This was also an opportunity to display work made by local school pupils, and by groups and individuals in the local community. Many of these works are still being displayed in shops around the town.

There were a wide variety of stalls displaying everything from cakes to candles, prints to pottery, wicker work to jewellery. Local organisations such as the Radstock Museum, Bath Museums Services and Lions Club promoted themselves and provided activities.

Overall, this was a really positive and creative day, demonstrating the artistic skill and enthusiasm of a great many people within the local community. Everyone that came left impressed and enriched by the experience.

Martyn Plant

Photos: With thanks to Dave Urch