CHIPPING SODBURY hosted a festival as the town celebrated a very big birthday!

Sodbury 800, marking the amount of time since the official formation of the town, drew in huge crowds of people to two different venues over the two days.

The Ridings playing fields on Wickwar Road was the main hub of entertainment on Saturday, August 11. With re-enactments of sword fights and jousting taking place throughout the day.

There were other stalls set-up to try and give visitors a view of what the time period was like.

A birds of prey stand in particular was drawing attention during the event.

Food stands were set up by businesses from around the community, with the Horseshoe's pub selling their 800-year-old recipe ale, which was absolutely lovely.

You can still buy bottles of the ale at the pub itself at the top of the High Street in Sodbury.

On Saturday night all those in attendance were spoilt for entertainment.

A Michael Jackson tribute show drew in the crowds with a great performance, before a stunning firework display at around 10.00pm threatened to wake up the entirety of the town and Yate just down the road.

The thanks for that must go to Cotswold Homes who contributed nearly £5,000 for the display.

Sunday, August 12 welcomed more of the same but with another venue added to the celebrations.

The 800 festival teamed up with the annual 'Big Lunch' to put together a great combination of the two different events.

From maypole dancing, singing bards and jesters and jugglers providing amazing entertainment through to food stalls and historical exhibitions, Sodbury had it all.

The Town Hall hosted an incredible set-up by Yate Heritage Centre which documented the entire time period between the signing of the market charter in 1218 up until present day.

Credit to David and his team for the fantastic exhibition.

A re-enactment of the signing by Sodbury Players was particularly impressive, with them producing a comedy masterclass in their production of 'George And The Dragon' later in the day.

A final performance from 'For the Record' helped to send the guests home happy, as the sun finally came out for the first time over the two days.

However the poor weather could not stop the public from having a good time at the events over the two days, all credit must go to all those who helped to organise a wonderful event that marks a big moment in the history of our area.