Water Festival 2007

25th, 26th & 27th August

My observations:

The weather was great all weekend - we deserved some luck after the 'summer' we've had! The change to the festival format worked very well. Saturday & Sunday were both full days and this showed in the number of people who came on both days. The town, not just the riverfront, was full of people. 1st Galaxy provided a very good firework display. Most of the local hostelries that have been closed since the floods managed to have outside bars. After most organisation's car boot sales had to be called off due to the weather this year, on Bank Holiday Monday the car boot attracted over a hundred booters.

Water Festival is free to all visitors. It has to be paid for by fundraising, sponsorship and the collection after the fireworks display. This was the first festival in recent years to be organised by members of the committee without professional guidance.

Car Boot Sales normally provide valuable funds for the festival - this year the weather meant that instead of six planned boots, only three were held, and two of those were badly attended. One major sponsor was unable to contribute due to the July floods. Another declined to sponsor the festival this year.

In spite of all the obstacles, the Committee, led by Chairman Peter Webb and his tireless wife Rosemary, managed to put on the festival and it is a credit to them that it was such a success.

Thank you to all the Committee, and the volunteer marshalls for a superb job.