The Party in the Park festival, held in the village of Peasedown St John near Bath, will be under new management when it celebrates its 14th anniversary next year.
Nathan Hartley and Gavin Heathcote
Since 2009, the festival has been run by a dedicated team of volunteers who have helped to create one of the region’s most popular annual events.
After organising this year’s festival, in honour of the Platinum Jubilee of the late HM Queen Elizabeth II, the management committee was disbanded with the organisation of future events being handed over to the Peasedown Community Trust.
Nathan Hartley served as Chairman of the Festival Team and stepped down after 14 years in the role.
He said: “When a group of us got together in 2008 to create an event that would bring the community together, we never imagined that it would grow so quickly.
“It’s been an honour – and lots of fun – to lead the Party in the Park team for the last 14 years.
“The recent pandemic though gave us an opportunity to re-think how the event was run and explore the benefits of becoming part of a successful local charity such as the Peasedown Community Trust.”
In June, festival organisers voted unanimously to disband their committee and hand over the organisation of the event to the Peasedown Community Trust charity.
Chairman of the Trust, Gavin Heathcote, added: “As a charity, with access to additional funding and resources, we’ll be able to ensure the event continues long into the future.
“With Peasedown Party in the Park now being run by our charity, we can add it to the list of other projects we run in the village – such as the Peasedown Community Library, Dementia Friendly Peasedown and the Peasedown Community Orchard.
“Also, for the first time ever, will be delivering a leaflet to every home this winter giving residents information about how the event is funded and how the finances we raise for the festival are spent.”
The date for next year’s festival will be announced in the next few weeks.
Veteran councillor Karen Walker, who was one of the creators of the festival in 2009, will continue to take a leading role in the organisation of future festivals as part of the Peasedown Community Trust.
She said: “We’re looking forward to taking Party in the Park forward for another 14 years, ensuring it remains a popular event that brings the community together.
“The future of Party in the Park is looking bright and positive!”
