THOUSANDS of people enjoyed ten days of entertainment and activities during the 30th Chipping Sodbury Festival.


The annual event returned to Chipping Sodbury with the theme of ‘musicals’ on Saturday, June 13, and ran through until Sunday, June 21.


Chairman of the Chipping Sodbury Festival Society, Brian Hardy, said: “This year’s festival is considered to have been a major success in terms of participation from the community. We sold out five of the ticketed events before the event took place, something not achieved before.


“Despite some uncertain weather the outside events completed in the dry but unfortunately the weather in other parts of the country prevented the flypast of the BBMF Spitfire and Red Arrows from taking place.


“The schools again participated fully in the workshops, art exhibitions and the lunchtime concerts and prepared their floats in line with the ‘musicals’ theme and it was clear that the children enjoyed all the experiences.


“The Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury was very generous with their sponsorship of the event and all the money will be donated to the participating schools to further their musical improvement.”


On Sunday, June 14 festival-goers watched the crowning of the Festival Princess Holly Pine, 12, and her attendants Jessica Carey-Ward, 10, and Poppy Whitfield, 12, riding in the ‘dickie seat’ of the lead car during the carnival procession.


The best float was won by St John's Mead School and with several other categories being judged, all entries were able to go home with an award.


Musical performances were given throughout the festival from the Yate and Chipping Sodbury Community Choir , ABBA tribute ‘Forever’, a Chipping Sodbury style ‘Last Night of the Proms’ and much more.


On Saturday, a street fayre and carnival procession took over the town with the return of the Lions Club Carnival Day.


Deputy Mayor of Sodbury, Wendy Whittle, said: “I once again helped judge the stalls in the morning of the carnival with the Princess and her attendants.


“As usual the people were out in force and as we got nearer the High Street there were crowds of people lining the route which is always so rewarding for the children on their floats as they get so excited.


“I would like to thank everyone for all their hard work in making the Chipping Sodbury Festival and Carnival Day such a success.”


Mr Hardy added: “The committee are very pleased with the results and the wonderful support we had from the sponsors, schools, local organisations and the community who turned out to support us and without whom we could not function.”