Over one thousand people gathered in Gostrey Meadow on Sunday (25 June) for this year’s Picnic in the Park: a day of community spirit, live music and picnicking – Farnham style.
Families, couples, groups of friends and music fans spent the afternoon listening to local bands perform almost non-stop from midday until 5pm while the audience enjoyed eating al fresco in the sunshine. A mini funfair for children, craft activities, stalls and jumbo garden games meant there was plenty to keep children of all ages occupied throughout.
Councillor Jill Hargreaves, Lead Member for Tourism and Events was at the event and said: “The crowd clearly loved the music and the opportunity to come together in the delightful surroundings of Gostrey Meadow. The support from our sponsors, Farnham Sixth Form College and Kidd Rapinet meant we could put on a really high quality afternoon. I’m grateful too to the Fourth Farnham Scouts, the bands, stallholders and all those who worked hard to make the day run smoothly.”
She continues: “Many of us took advantage of the selection of food stalls while others tucked into some wonderful looking homemade picnics. This year, Picnic in the Park coincided with the Farmers’ Market so lots of people made their picnic from the fresh and locally made goods available there.”
Picnic in the Park is organised each year by Farnham Town Council and marks the end of the town’s Carnival weekend. It is part of this year’s Music in the Meadow programme, also organised by Farnham Town Council and sponsored by local solicitors, Kidd Rapinet.
Music from the likes of Arc Band, Potters Gate Taiko Drumming Club, Farnham Ukulele Band and Vic Cracknell’s Band performed tunes ranging from well-known crowd pleasers to traditional folk-inspired tunes and dramatic-sounding Japanese drumming. Energetic folk band, The Salts, closed the afternoon leaving the audience wanting more.
The next Music in the Meadow will be held on Sunday 2 July. Farnham Big Band, a talented group of local musicians will play jazz, swing, Latin American and big band sounds of the thirties right up to today. The tea tent will be hosted by the Friends of Guiding and the concert is sponsored by Farnham Chamber of Commerce.
