The rain stayed away for just the right amount of time in Peasedown St John on Saturday for the village’s 5th Party in the Park village festival – an afternoon of midsummer 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 7 hours of live music and entertainment, a huge array of stalls and attractions, a Farmers’ Market and the return of the Peasedown Diamond cider.
The highly anticipated Sara Holley Community Award was won, for the 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 Cllr 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 pm.
The Party in the Park Management Team were also pleased to welcome two Special Guest Hosts who kept the crowds happy in between performances:
Alan McLaughlin, who works with Oscar Academy Award and Bafta winner Peter Sword at the Global Virtual Theatre Project, co-founded of the Leadmill Circus in Sheffield. He’s a tenured actor and has managed a number of bands working with RealWorld and other groups.
Tom Bradey, a local radio show host of Somer Valley FM. Tom is well known for his love of soap operas, story lines, and aspires to hit the national radio someday.
As well as a Farmers’ Market, and Somer Valley FM broadcasting live, other attractions included; Red Post Beer Tent, Camerton and Peasedown Croquet Club, Peasedown Albion Football Club, The Sweet Treat Boutique, Somerset and Dorset Hog Roast, No.6 Restaurant, Disney Wrights Ice Cream, Tea Cups Roundabout, Tin-Can Alley, Bungee Trampoline, Gladiator Dual, Bouncy Castles, Quad Bikes, Fun Fair Big Wheel, Rainy Day Cake Company, Shoscombe Primary School, and the Alzheimer’s Society.
For more details, and to see photographs from the event, visit www.peasedownpartyinthepark.org.uk. Organisers are also keen to receive feedback from those that attended. A special page has been added to the website enabling people to submit their views.
