CROWDS basked in the summer sun for the return of the Frampton Festival.
Around 2,000 people are believed to have visited Centenary Field on July 13 for the free community event, five years after it was last staged in the village.
Entertainment kicked off with the Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir, line dancing group Laughter In Line, who invited festival-goers to have a go, and children’s entertainer Johnny G.
The stage was then taken over by live music, starting with Winterbourne Academy student band Brain Frog (below), playing indie rock in their first big live gig.
The G&Ts from Gloucestershire and Elvis Presley impersonator Mark Knight took over before local band Elevation, led by Frampton Cotterell musician Darren Addicott provided the headline set.
Ian Haddrell, of the festival committee, said: “We were extremely pleased that local lad Toby Fletcher, the fundraising mad keen rugby player, lit the beacon, the lighting of which signifies the end of the festival and the start of the low noise firework display.
“As well live entertainment, the festival saw the welcome return of fairground rides, steam traction rides, catering outlets, Bramble’s Bar and a variety of local organisations and businesses with a wide range of stalls.”
Festival will stay a free event
Ian thanked Frampton Cotterell Parish Council for allowing the use of Centenary Field and helping fund the firework display, as well as ETS and Manor Scrap, who also helped the event go ahead.
He said: “We are committed to keeping the Frampton Festival a free community event, and as such funding is generated from grants, sponsorship, donations, advertising in the festival leaflet, raffle, the sale of reusable plastic beer “glasses”, and the wonderful generosity of local people.”
Ian said more than £1,000 was collected in buckets during the day and via a JustGiving page, which is still open at tinyurl.com/bdhmkf6k – all will go towards staging next year’s festival.
The committee is looking for more donations and more volunteers, both to help organise in advance and help out on the day.
Ian said: “If people could spare just an hour that would be great. It is hard work (but enjoyable) for the small committee on the day, and the setting up on the Friday and clearing up on the Sunday, but it is done because it is felt it is worthwhile in providing such a fantastic community event.”
Saturday’s festival was followed by a united church service on Centenary Field the following morning.
Ian said: “The stage was utilised by the church musicians and it was a pleasure to see so many attending the service, which is also so very much part of the Frampton Festival.”
To contact the organisers email Framptonfest@gmail.com or visit www.framptonfestival.co.uk.