Worstead Festival hands out £21,000 to good causes

Rain put a bit of a damper on the 50th Worstead Festival - but the clouds have cleared, thanks to a £21,000 bright spot.

The five-figure sum is how much has been handed over to local charities and organisations in the wake of July's two-day event.

The money was handed out at the festival committee's annual meeting on December 7.

Representatives were at the meeting from Worstead Primary School, the parent and toddler group, the choir, Worstead Fellowship, the village hall and the parish council, to receive their cheques.

Those attending observed a minute's silence in memory of festival founder Gavin Paterson, whose funeral was held yesterday.

The local farmer has allowed the use of his land for the festival since it was started in the 1960s to raise money for the fabric of the church.

Festival directors were voted in for the coming year and financial and chairman's reports were read to members attending.

Chairman Simon Cole said: 'It was amazing to see so many visitors braving the rain to come along this year and still have a great time.

'It's a tribute to all the volunteers, too, who put in so much hard work over the year to make the festival a success.'

? The dates of next year's festival are July 30 and 31. See www.worstead.festival.org