BEAMINSTER Festival has got off to a flying start.

The start of the festival was marked with a series of free community events. On Wednesday and Thursday, the talented jazz musician, Julia Turner, entertained the young and less young with her beautiful lyrical songs and on Saturday night the whole community was invited to party!

Party in the Park was held for the first time in the Beaminster Memorial Field with music from Beaminster Youth Club’s Phoenix Band and Scoot, children’s entertainment from Strawberry Jam, delicious food local suppliers, drink supplied by the Pavilion Bar and very importantly with great weather!

Beaminster Festival chairman Kathy Dare said: “With a party you can provide the venue, the food and drink and the entertainment. To have a good party however you need great guests and boy did we have great guests. We issued our invitation and it seemed like the whole town came to party the night away! Thank you to everyone for making the night such a success and bringing a smile to everyone’s face."

Festival events continue until Tuesday, July 9. This weekend festival-goers can enjoy a Ben Waters Band concert, a family barbecue and picnic on Sunday and a 12 ensemble Unconducted String Orchestra, also on Sunday.

See beaminsterfestival.com for more information.