Hundreds of people gathered at Kings Worthy’s Eversley Park on Saturday for the village’s annual Worthys Festival. 

This year’s event was bigger than before, with plenty to entertain the crowds along with music to enjoy. 

The day saw perfect sunshine so people brought chairs, tables, picnics and wine ready for an afternoon and evening of fun.  The event was attended by people of all ages and ran until 11pm.

There were craft stalls selling an array of produce, a plant swap and a flower and produce tent with a panel judging the competitions and choosing the best cake, vegetable and jam.

This was a community event with the Scouts and St Mary’s Church cooking the barbecue and the Worthys Youth Football Club laying on a penalty shoot-out.  There was a bottle tombola, face painting, pottery painting and raffle.

(Image: Mary Blaxland) There was plenty of food on offer with the church also providing tea and cakes, plus food vans with pizza, chips and candy floss and local firm Alfred Brewery selling their popular beer.  The nearby Worthies Social Club also did a good trade.   Volunteers from St Johns Ambulance made sure everyone was safe

There were also activities for our four-legged friends with the return this year of the dog show and rosettes were given out for best young handler, lookalike, best puppy, veteran and party trick.

Live music was provided from local artists with a variety of styles from classical with Hyde Quartet, folk and pop with local bands including Flaxen Hill and The Wonstons. It finished with a DJ set and for many the chance to have a dance.

(Image: Mary Blaxland) The Worthys Festival is organised by a number of people among them Dan Conroy. 

He said: “The music is like the coat hanger and other events hang off it and it’s growing each year. We don’t have a committee or meetings. 

"We talk on WhatsApp. There are no organisers as such, it organises itself and everyone contributes. It’s a lack of hierarchy that makes it such a success and a great community event.”