Published: Thursday, 17th July, 2008 9:47am

Fantastic festival despite showers

by Alan Bunce

SUDDEN bursts of showers failed to rain on the parade of music, dance and drama at this year's Big Day Out.

Thousands of people packed their umbrellas and set up camp at South Hill Park in Bracknell for a day of entertainment, food and drink.

Despite the forecast, the showers did not put people off as many took precautions using bin bags, tarpaulin and tents to stop the rain dampening their spirits.

In true festival style there were people with Wellington boots dancing along to the dozens of acts on the various stages around the park.

Performances carried on throughout the day, with various tents and areas accommodating the diverse range of acts, from KateGoes and their original and silly sounds to The Strangelings and the Gaiety Engine.

There was even a magical London Bus and performances on the lake.

Gill Birch, councillor for Hanworth and Birch Hill and a trustee at South Hill Park, said: "What I really love about Big Day Out is that it's for families and it's really inclusive of all the people living in the area because they can walk to it and have easy access.

"South Hill Park is the shining light in our borough and not many people have such a lovely arts centre which is such a big part of the community."

The theme for this year's Big Day Out was sustainability, re-using and recycling.

There were stands encouraging people to recycle at home as well as models made by children at schools around the borough from unwanted materials.

Emerging from the dark and through the park was the Beast of Bracknell in the evening, made from recycled plastic garden chairs, railings and bicycle tyres.

Bracknell Town mayor Marc Brunel-Walker said: "It's fantastic to see so many people from Bracknell coming along to this delightful event."

Borough mayor Bob Edger said: "I think it's absolutely marvellous. South Hill Park is the jewel in Bracknell's crown. Its development over the last few years has been superb.

"And the £4.4m redevelopment money which has been given to it will make a huge improvement and will be a huge benefit to the people of Bracknell."

Around 4,800 people ventured in and out of the park.

William Trevelyan, Big Day Out organiser, said: "Big Day Out came of age in 2008 and everyone who worked on the festival felt it was a really remarkable mix of team work, community spirit and extraordinary artistic ideas.

"We hope people who came felt the same, especially the people of Bracknell, who now have their own beautiful, awesome beast."

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