OVER 1,500 PEOPLE took part in Peasedown St John’s first ever Party in the Park festival last Saturday. The event was opened by Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis at midday and, after a year in the making, was a huge success.

In an attempt to build community spirit and bring people together hundreds of revellers listened to live music, took part in sumo wrestling and shopped at the Farmers’ Market.

Local councillor and one of the event organisers Nathan Hartley said:

“I would really like to thank everyone for coming to this year’s festival. Its success is a great testament to people’s desire to feel a sense of pride in their community. With over 1,500 people attending we believe these were the largest crowds to gather in the village since the early 1990’s.

To have Michael Eavis opening our first festival was, I hope, a blessing for the future. Interestingly, in his opening speech, Mr Eavis said that at his first festival in 1970 only 500 people came and he had two helpers.

Maybe in forty years time, Peasedown’s Party in the Park won’t be as big as Glastonbury but it will be just a renowned and respected as a community spectacle.

Overall, organisers raised more £2,000 which will be reinvested into next year’s event. Prior to the day, £3,000 was donated in sponsorship by local organisations and businesses.

The success of Party in the Park 2009 has encouraged organisers to start thinking about next year already. Management Committee member Joy Fraser said:

“Peasedown St John’s first Party in the Park was a great success. It was a culmination of a year’s organisation and planning, and brought together large numbers of people from the community. We look forward to a bigger and better one next year.”

The Party in the Park management committee are keen to receive feedback from attendees. Any comments received will be used in the organisation and planning for next year’s festival.

To provide feedback email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Event organisers have also posted photographs from the day on the Party in the Park events page at www.facebook.com