WOTTON PARC was bathed in sunshine last Saturday and filled with music from live bands, food and drink stalls and activities and sports for all people of all ages.

The festival atmosphere for the Party in the PARC was enjoyed by nearly 1,000 people from the surrounding communities.

More than £6,000 was raised to support the development of the site, leased by Wotton Community Sports Foundation for 999 years as of 2007, to build further sports facilities such as two BMX tracks.

The foundation has already managed to build several all-weather sports pitches, a rugby pitch, running trail and skate park.

Rob Hayward part of the Sports Foundation and chairman of Party in the PARC said: "It was a real team effort to make today happen and we are so proud of what has been achieved over the past few months.

“Everyone that has worked on the Party in the PARC is looking around in amazement and thinking 'we can't believe we managed to organise THIS!'.

“There have already been murmurings about doing it all again next year and we are looking forward to reading the feedback from the public so that we can make it even bigger and even better in 12 months’ time.

“I would also encourage anyone who enjoyed the event to get in contact and be involved in organising any future events.”

Local businesses and organisations came out in force to support what is clearly viewed as an important local cause – these are listed at the bottom of this article.

The facilities at the PARC, which have been funded entirely through fundraising efforts, have helped to develop local sports and recreation activities for both young and old in the area.

Guests at the party were treated to live music from bands including: 2112, Below Average, Common Ground, Seattle Inc, Corrupting Josie, Oktopi, The Bad Dads, Route 61, Bacchus, Short Elbow, C’est La Vie, Dead Dog Cider, Katie Elliot, Richard and Vicky, Objective Loon, Lauren Bewley and James Aldridge .

Many visitors were keen to see the event continue next year including Roger and Jane Gunning who gave their thoughts to the Gazette: “Having followed with interest the development of the Sports Foundation since its inception we were thrilled to witness this latest exciting chapter in its story.

“Little by little the PARC, right on our doorstep, is becoming something for everyone. It was wonderful to see so many folk, young and old, enjoying this facility, some possibly for the first time.

“Congratulations to all those who worked so hard to make this a truly amazing event, and who we know are working to develop the site further in the interests of the whole community.”

The team behind the Party in the PARC are keen to thank the following businesses: Wickwar Wessex Brewery Crest Nicholson, Wotton Recreational Trust, Renishaw, Kingswood Village Association, Rio Pools, Barnwood Trust, Howard Tenens, Western Global, Under the Edge Arts, Yate Supplies, 1st Wotton Scout Group, A & E Fire & Security, Falcon Steak House, Clarendon Press, Wotton Directory: Milburys, The Market Place, The Heritage Centre, Sport Wotton, Wotton Electric Picture House, Wotton Town Council, Draw Creative, Goose & Gander, Lions International, Round Table, Army Cadet Force, Tony Tanner, The Eco Corner Team, Jacqueline Baxter, Cotswold Tai Chi, Rush Skate Park, Wotton Hockey, Wotton Rovers, Wotton Rugby, Wotton parkrun, Gloucester Rugby Club, Calcot Manor, Bear street Garage, Bradley Street garage, The Swan Hotel, The Royal Oak, Under the Edge Beauty, Under The Edge Café, West Country Plumbing and Heating and Cotswold Edge Golf Club.

Pictures by Stephen Richards and Tony Tanner Photography