The rain stayed away for just the right amount of time in Peasedown St John last Saturday for the village's fifth Party in the Park festival, an afternoon of mid-summer fun, food and fantastic music.
Sponsored by Bath and North East Somerset Council and Curo Housing Association, over 2,000 people came along to enjoy seven hours of live music and entertainment, a huge array of stalls and attractions, a Farmers' Market and the Peasedown Diamond Cider.
The highly anticipated Sara Holley Community Award was won, for the first time, by a husband and wife team for their services to youth football. Martin and Lisa Smith, who have spent many years volunteering in the village to enable 150 children every week to take part in football practice, training and matches, were announced as the winners in front of a capacity crowd and presented with the award by Paul Holley, Sara's husband.
Festival Chairman, Cllr Nathan Hartley, said: "I've met Martin and Lisa many times and every time I do, I can literally feel their passion for youth football. Their energy and enthusiasm is infectious.
"What I particularly love about this couple is they just get on with it. They don't want any credit for themselves, they don't moan when things go wrong, they just do it! We have one of the best youth football clubs in the district. Peasedown Youth Albion FC was set up a few years ago to provide sporting opportunities for local young people, an opportunity they wouldn't have if it wasn't for this couple. Every community needs a couple like this and Peasedown is so lucky to have them. I hope they will be with us for many more years to come."
Almost £2,000 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 headline act for the festival was the popular tribute band, The Mangledwurzels, who were welcomed on stage by B&NES Councillor, Sarah Bevan, who donated £1,000 to the event through her Initiative Fund.
Other performers included: Heat, Neil Sartain, Martin Dimery, Susan Hill School of Dance, Lease Keen's Zumba group and children from Peasedown Primary to celebrate the school's centenary.
Cllr Neil Butters, the Chairman of B&NES Council, officially opened the festivities just after 12.30 p.m.
For more details and to see photographs from the event, visit http://www.peasedownpartyinthepark.org.uk">www.peasedownpartyinthepark.org.uk Organisers are also keen to receive feedback from those that attended and a special page has been added to the website, enabling those who attended to submit their views.