The sun came out to shine in Peasedown St John last Saturday for the village’s 7th Party in the Park village festival, attracting thousands of local residents to get involved.
Sponsored by Michael Gould Property Agents, The Learning Day Tree Nursery, Bath Audi, Bath College, St John’s Church, Curo Housing and Peasedown St John Parish Council, almost 2,000 people came along to enjoy seven and a half hours of live music and entertainment.
The event included a huge array of stalls and attractions; the village’s first ever Great Village Bake Off with celebrity chef Richard Bertinet, 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 had passed away, was won by a woman who has spent the last 30 years supporting the children and young people of the community.
Nina Philips, a former Chair of the Friends of Peasedown St John Primary School, and a leader of the local Guide and Brownie groups received a standing ovation for her dedication to voluntary work.
Party in the Park chairman, Nathan Hartley, said: “Active in our community for the past 30 years, Nina has gone beyond the call of duty to support many of the children and young people of our village.
“Formerly a chair of the Friends of Peasedown St John Primary School, she led many a campaign to raise funds so school children could have equipment for their education, go on school trips and have access to opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise.
“She may be better known these days for her dedication to the local brownie and guide packs.
“For as long as any of us can remember, she has been encouraging children to fulfill their civic duty every year at our annual Remembrance Sunday service held in November.
“Thanks to Nina, so many young people today have a strong understanding of the sacrifice that military personally have made over the last 100 years for King, Queen and Country.
“It’s with great honour that we were able to award the Sara Holley Community Award 2015 to Nina Philips.”
Almost £2,000 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.
The festival was honoured to have celebrity chef and baker, and BBC Food Champion of the year, Richard Bertinet come along for the afternoon to judge and announce the winners of the village’s first ever Great Village Bake Off.
Organised by the new WI, twenty-one entries were submitted over the three categories of tray bakes, muffins and traditional cakes.
Richard, who founded The Bertinet Kitchen and Bakery in Bath has written several books, appeared on many TV shows and advises some of the UK’s biggest supermarket chains on the production of new products.
Bake Off winners were:
- Muffins – Mandy Starling who takes homes a £25 gift voucher for Odeon.
- Tray Bake – Carole Stone picks up a £25 gift voucher for Jamie’s Italian.
- Traditional Cake – Frances Andrews receives a £25 gift voucher for Bath Festivals.
- Overall Bake Off Champion – Mandy Starling also picks up a Family Portrait gift voucher for Bertinet and Coe, and a signed book from Richard Bertinet.
- Special Commendation for effort – Ann Rees who also received a book from Richard.
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 Plucky Purcell; Foreign Affairs; Too Much Lipstick; DJ Pete Bailey; The Rockerteers; Bath Spa Brass Band; Sue Hill School of Dance; Shine Dance; The Reacharounds; Jamie Woodlands Black Belt Academy; Dweamah Dance and Zumba Gold.
To add extra excitement to the proceedings, this year’s Special Guest Hosts were Pete Helmore and Luke Barnes from Somer Valley FM, with the radio station being the festival’s official partner.
Almost £2,000 was given away this year to community groups and organisations in Peasedown St John.
Peasedown St John Methodist Church, Peasedown St John Residents’ Association, Wheels for All, Time 2 Share and St John’s Church Football Coach were all presented grants.
Thanks to the support of more than 50 volunteers, including the Midsomer Norton Lions Club and Paulton Army Cadets, the summer festival ran according to plan and to schedule.