MORE than 8,000 people visited the Melksham Food and River Festival as the sun shone over the weekend.
The two-day festival on the King George V playing field and the River Avon attracted people from far and wide as families took advantage of going for a day out in the fine weather.
The event, now in its 8th year, seeks to provide a platform for local food and drink producers, community groups, local entrepreneurs and start-up businesses.
Adrienne Westbrook, chair of the organising committee, said: “It was fantastic event. We had about 4,000 people visiting on each of the two days.
“It was absolutely heaving and we had people coming from far and wide, including Calne and Westbury.”
Food and drink traders also reported a bumper weekend of sales, with some selling out of stock on both days.
Jacqui Bull, of Jacqui’s Homemade Sweets in Broughton Gifford, said: “I was really busy. The festival was the best one I have ever had.”
She was selling a selection of Glastonbury cheeses, home-made fruit pies, fudge and quiches.”
Kieron Woodfield, 38, from Swindon, also had a busy weekend selling his Dark Bark BBBQ pulled pork and beef brisket brioche buns, with macaroni cheese and coleslaw.
“I sold out on both days,” said Kieron. “I had a great weekend. I did very well and look forward to next year.”
Stephen Auty, 48, of White Horse Honey, based near Melksham, launched his business after a career in the retail sector.
His assistant Kelly Tombs was selling honey from his 200+ bee hives spread around the local area.
“We did really well. I have been coming to this event since before the Covid pandemic and it just gets better and better every year.
“The weather was fine and yesterday people came out in their droves. There were lots of families at the event and it was really nice to see them keeping the field clean and tidy.”
This year’s river festival featured a paddleboarding challenge competition for adults and children, a zipwire ride over the River Avon.
There were Wilts & Berks Canal Trust boat trips, Wiltshire Youth Canoe Club lessons, and a Wiltshire Search and Rescue demonstration.
On the field, there were rides on Frankie, the heavy horse, on Sunday, plus funfair rides, and a wide range of food and drink stalls.
The festival featured live music from local Indie band The Sunnies, plus Dirt Road Acoustic, the Steeple Rocks Choir, Sweet Sing, the Military Wives Choir, dancing by the Bell’s Angels morris group and Waafa Belly Dancing, and a competition on Sunday to find Melksham’s new Town Crier.
Local MP Michelle Donelan said: “I had a great day at the Melksham Food and River Festival. It’s such an amazing event for all the family with over 80 stands and the sun was shining.”
But not everyone was entirely happy.
Lisa Caine said some heartless thief had stolen two purple camping chairs she had stored under a charity stall overnight on Saturday.
Liz Norris said there was not enough seating at the festival for families to enjoy the food and drink they had purchased.
She said: “I really enjoyed the river and food festival and it was nice to see the coffee areas had chairs for sitting on.
“But none of the food stalls had chairs. Ok, I know a lot of people like to walk around eating their food and there are a few park benches and hay bales around.
“But for those that can't walk too far I do feel the food stalls may do better had they put out chairs for their customers.”
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