More than 2,000 villagers came along to Peasedown St John’s 8th Party in the Park Community Festival last Saturday to celebrate HM The Queen’s 90th Birthday. Despite the rain, the crowds still enjoyed seven hours of live music and entertainment by local performers.

The event, opened by the Chairman of B&NES Council, Cllr Alan Hale, included a huge array of stalls and attractions, the village’s second Great Village Bake Off, the return of the Peasedown Diamond cider, and the results of the Party in the Park Grant Giveaway.

The Sara Holley Community Award, set up in 2011 in memory of a life-long resident who passed away, was won by a woman who has spent the last ten years either partaking in, or setting up projects that benefit the vulnerable members of society.

Joy Fraser, a former churchwarden at St John’s Church, co-ordinated the establishment of the Somer Valley Foodbank in 2013 to support those on low incomes, those out of work, and those who have been subject to changes and delays in the benefits system. More than 2,500 people have benefitted across the Somer Valley – over 300 of those live in Peasedown St John.

Party in the Park Chairman, Nathan Hartley, said: “I first had the privilege of meeting Joy eight years ago at Peasedown Youth Centre. I was a local Councillor at the time and she had just signed up to become a weekly volunteer. What particularly struck me about her was how humble, kind and genuine she was.

“As well as volunteering at the youth centre, she has been an active member of St John’s Church, where she served as Church Warden for six years. She worked alongside Revd Matthew Street to transform the way the church works within the community.

“Thanks to Joy, two life-changing projects have been set up throughout Bath and North East Somerset that have made a direct impact, positively, on the lives of local people.

“The first is Family Matters – which works with the Council to support those on low incomes, the vulnerable, and those with low self-esteem, helping them into work.

“The other is the Somer Valley Foodbank. Joy’s dedication and enthusiastic leadership has seen a Distribution Centre set up in Peasedown, and she arranged for agencies within the village to give food vouchers to those in need.”

The person who nominated her said: ‘I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the Sara Holley Community Award this year. Joy is dedicated, sincere, humble, selfless and never wants any credit or reward for the work she does.’

Almost £3,000 was raised on the day, which contributes to the total £6,000 cost of hosting the one-day event. All of the money will be reinvested back into Peasedown St John, either through future events or the Party in the Park Grant Fund.

Festival revellers were kept entertained all afternoon thanks to back-to-back outstanding performances, all of which were sponsored by Peasedown St John Parish Council, from DJ Pete Bailey, the Bath Spa Band, Pheonix Club, Susan Hill School of Dance, Train to Skaville, Bath All Star Cheerleaders, The Blues Others and Step Eadez Dance.

Almost £1,500 was given away this year to organisations that are either based in, or work in, Peasedown St John. The Methodist Church, Bath All Starz, Chess for Schools, and the Great Western Air Ambulance were all presented with grants. More on the day: www.peasedownpartyinthepark.org.uk