Westbury Park Festival 2008 : a recap
11th - 13th July
Events
The quiz night was held on Friday 11th by Quizmaster Alwyn. With over 100 people attending, nobody else could be squeezed into the church hall.
After a week of atrocious weather, the Sun decided to come out on the Saturday for the street party. This brought swarms of visitors from all around the local area to partake of a feast of local produce and other stalls. At one of the end of the street the bouncy castle was full one minute, then empty suddenly as the call came round for Punch & Judy (you can always tell it was a good performance when the adults can't keep away!). Meanwhile, children were throwing their dogs and fish off the top of the church tower for teddy bungee, painting - or being painted - in the road, splatting the rat, exploring the inside of a Police riot van and generally enjoying themselves. For those worn out by all the shopping (and children), there was some relaxing tea and coffee, or organ music in the church, before the march home with heavy bags. (And children.)
The festival committee were overjoyed at the support shown this year, both by those who turned up and also all those who helped. We would like to give a big thank you to all the stall holders, stewards and those people roped in at the last minute to take visitors three flights up the church tower.
More than 25 gardens were on display around Westbury Park and the surrounding area, many including refreshments to the weary visitor. In addition, this year saw the advent of the Treasure Hunt, with participants being given a series of clues to secrets found in the open gardens and elsewhere. Always popular, this year's open gardens hit record attendance levels.
Other events
We would like to thank Jackie Wright for running Tai Chi on the Downs (and the secretary would like to applaud those who were up early enough to enjoy it!).
Benefits of the festival
Between all the events, Westbury Park Festival raised a whopping £1940 profit (at least)! This is a tremendous achievements and makes all the hard work worthwhile. These will be donated as follows:
- The profit from Open Gardens, about £450, will be split between Julian Trust Night Shelter and White Tree Mums & Tots (preschool, which meets at Westbury Park Methodist Church).
- The preschool will receive an additional £100 from the festival which, with the other donation, will pay for new toys and equipment.
- £600 to Amaudo UK.
- £300 to Westbury Park School, for environmental projects.
- £300 to Westbury Park Ecumenical Parish to help replace the lead which was recently stolen from the roof of St Alban's Church.
- £300 to the DEC Congo appeal.
- The remainder will be put in the festival account to help fund future events.
In addition, we know that the many local organisations who ran stalls all received both increased recognition and income for their work. Some of these, like the school gardening club, receive no other funding.