Organisers of the Trowbridge Festival say they are “as pleased as punch” with the success of the 50th anniversary event.

Nick Reed, who runs the festival at Southwick, said they were close to full capacity on Sunday, July 28 for the headline act Maddy Prior and Jon Boden.

“We are really happy with the way it went. We are as pleased as punch,” he said.

“This year, it seems like we got it right and the weather was on our side.”

Festival-goers enjoy the fine weather at the Trowbridge Festival. Trevor Porter 77249-7Festival-goers enjoy the fine weather at the Trowbridge Festival. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Mr Reed organises the Trowbridge Festival with Sheer Music promoter Kieran Moore, of the Village Pump Folk Club and his wife Zoe Newing-Moore, a co-director of the Soundwell Music Therapy Trust, and Ian Lucas.

The three-day festival was staged at Greenhill Fields, Southwick, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 26 to 28.

Seventies folk legend Maddy Prior, of Steeleye Span, returned this year for the 50th anniversary to perform a duo set alongside Jon Boden of Bellowhead.

She first played at the Village Pump folk club behind The Lamb Inn, from which the Trowbridge Festival sprang, in 1974.

The RSVP Bhangra group with their blend of Punjabi Indian music with mainstream pop on the main stage on Saturday. Trevor Porter 77249-16The RSVP Bhangra group with their blend of Punjabi Indian music with mainstream pop on the main stage on Saturday.  (Image: Trevor Porter)

There was also a headlining performance from the Punjabi Indian group RSVP Bhangra on Saturday evening.

One of the attractions on display was an array of programmes from the past 50 years of the festival, which was originally held at Stowford Farm before moving to Southwick.

Alan Pollack reflects on the 50 years of the Trowbridge Village Pump Festival with a display of programmes over the half-century. Trevor Porter 77249 -2Alan Pollack reflects on the 50 years of the Trowbridge Village Pump Festival with a display of programmes over the half-century.  (Image: Trevor Porter)

Mr Reed says he hopes the festival will come back next year bigger and better, with more top names from folk music performing.

Among the highlights on Friday evening, were performances from Gaz Brookfield, Concrete Prairie, and a duo set from Sean Lakeman and Kathryn Roberts.

Stiltwalkers with SASS circus space of Trowbridge. Trevor Porter 77249-36Stiltwalkers with SASS circus space of Trowbridge. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Children were entertained by stilt walkers from SASS circus space from Trowbridge, and Damien Patton’s circus skills workshops.

There were dances by the Holt Morris Group from Holt, and yoga sessions on Friday and Saturday mornings.

Holt Morris group are regular performers at the Trowbridge Festival. Trevor Porter 77249-30Holt Morris group are regular performers at the Trowbridge Festival.  (Image: Trevor Porter)

SATCO, from Frome, performed in the early afternoon on Saturday and Sunday doing a couple of synchronised swims in the arena, as part of their farewell tour.

The capacity for this year’s festival is 500 people, with some booking for the whole weekend and camping out, while others booked day tickets.

“We sold about 70 day tickets on Sunday and were getting close to our full capacity,” Mr Reed said.

He added: “hopefully, we are getting the Trowbridge Festival back to where it used to be in its heyday.

“We hope to increase the capacity a little bit for next year and obtain a premises licence,” he said.