More than 800 people turned out to enjoy the fun at the Newington Rocks festival on Saturday (June 30).
The family fun event staged by Newington Community Primary School in its grounds raised a cracking £1000 for the Pilgrims Hospice.
On a very warm summer’s day, the heat was turned up by musicians who delivered high energy sets throughout the afternoon in support of the charity.
They were music teacher and singer/guitarist Warwick Eldred plus top Kent bands Funkle Pie, Hyperactive 80s and Ignition. Between them they delivered a variety of music from across the decades ranging from pop, soul and funk to rock classics.
As well as being a fantastic family picnic afternoon, supplemented by refreshments, ice cream, strawberries and burgers on sale, there were a range of activities for children to explore.
These included a train roundabout, bouncy castle, inflatable assault course, boxing kangaroo suits, face painting, traditional fairground coconut shy, Lil’ Jockeys horse rides, hook the duck, go karts, football skills, plus a Pilgrims Hospice craft stall and the tombola stand.
Emma Manning, who co-ordinated the festival, said: “It was a fantastic festival. I wish to thank our musicians, staff, friends of the school, those who ran rides and stalls, and those who sponsored the festival. They helped make it all possible.”
Head teacher Cliff Stokes said: “Newington is all about its belief in strong community values and it was lovely that so many families and friends came together for another fantastic afternoon of fun and music in aid of an extremely worthwhile charity. Thanks go to our hard working organisers and fantastic performers.”