Over 2,000 villagers came along to Peasedown St John’s 11th Annual Party in the Park Community Festival last Saturday to celebrate the joys of summertime. The light rain during the early part of the day failed to keep them away!

Crowds enjoyed seven hours of live music and entertainment, where the Official Event Partner was the Somer Valley Foodbank.

The event, which included a special flag-raising ceremony with festival organisers and School Headteacher, Damian Knollys, featured a huge array of stalls and attractions, such as the village’s Push Kart Race, Peasedown’s second Dog Show, 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, was won by a woman who has spent the last fifteen years serving the community as part of St John’s Church, and has been instrumental in working behind the scenes at the Somer Valley Foodbank.

Jane Street’s commitment and hard work behind the scenes has helped the church become the community-minded organisation that it is today. Her arrival in Peasedown St John in 2004/2005 was an interesting one, as she came to the village with her husband, Revd Matthew Street, who was sent here by ‘higher authorities’ to work.

The couple soon became active with their hands-on approach to getting things done – which didn’t go unnoticed. Behind the scenes, Jane and Matthew have been instrumental in setting up Children’s Holiday Clubs, giving away over £10,000 to good causes, and working closely with the local primary school to organise breakfast clubs and other activities for children.

Party in the Park Chairman, Nathan Hartley, said: “For the last fifteen years, Jane has been managing the church finances, and ensuring they meet all their obligations as a registered charity.

“She has also played a significant role in the development of the Somer Valley Foodbank, serving on the management team – working hard to ensure that the 7,000 food parcels given out across the area have gone to people who have needed them the most.

“Congratulations, Jane – a well deserved winner!”

Over £2,500 was raised on the day, which contributes to the total £7,000 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.

The organising committee for 2019 were Karen Walker, Joy Fraser, Andrea Feeney, Helen Thorn, Craig Gill, Juliet Webb, Max Feeney, Andy Day and Nathan Hartley.

Photos: Will Nicol.