East Preston Festival torch fires carnival crowd

The same goes for the many villagers and visitors who seemed determined to enjoy themselves no matter what the weather – which at times was the worst the festival has experienced for more than a decade.

Paul, who took over as chairman in October, found combining the role with working in London a tough challenge, and has called a public meeting on June 24 to give villagers the chance to rally to the cause and fill his position and other committee posts to secure the popular festival’s future.

Certainly, that popularity was in no doubt throughout the record-breaking programme, offering more individual events across more days than in the festival’s 31-year history.

“I thought it went very well. The feedback from talking to people is that they enjoyed it,” said Paul.

He was particularly pleased with the reaction to the “Olympic” torch and diamond jubilee baton group which led the carnival procession on its route through the village.

The group of cyclists and walkers carried the torch and baton, escorted by young people flying the flags of the world to make a colourful spectacle added to by their smartly embroidered t-shirts, in the colours of the Olympic rings.

“It gave the impression of more young people being involved with the procession and there was more colour, too,” said Paul. “The torch was lit for the procession, and it produced a real buzz from the crowd. All the young people involved were really pleased to be taking part.”

Looking to the future, Paul said he had been “heartened” by the number of people who had expressed an interest in doing whatever they could to keep the festival alive.

“What we do need is two good people to serve in the vital roles of chairperson and secretary, who have to carry out all the behind-the-scenes work that goes on all year round and starts up again as soon as the festival has finished. Hopefully, someone will come forward.”