Festival goers come together to make Penn Festival a success, despite the mud (From Bucks Free Press)

Festival goers come together to make Penn Festival a success, despite the mud

1:30pm Tuesday 10th July 2012 in Music By Rebecca Cain

THE weather threatened to cancel Penn Festival at the weekend but organisers say everyone pulled together to make it a community event.

The public car parks were shut due to torrential rain and a free shuttle bus service was provided from Cressex park and ride at Handy Cross.

Organisers Manjit Jaspal and Nick Billinghurst said it was probably the toughest weekend of their lives as they struggled to keep the event going.

Manjit said: "We were faced with enormous challenges and it was touch and go on whether we cancelled the event. We did not want to disappoint people who had bought tickets and decided to go ahead.

"We couldn't have done it without the support of Chiltern District Council who worked with us throughout the weekend to keep the event open."

Headliners included Snap and Soul II Soul.

The site at The Big Park in Horsemoor Lane in Penn Street was thick with mud.

But festival goers went on the event's Facebook page to say what a great weekend it was.

Neil Wood commented: "Well done - we have never been to festival as family and our kids together with our friends all loved it, we camped both nights and just got on with it! Everyone was happy and bands were superb (please next year make sure showers work though!!) Overall brilliant!"

And Sarah Budd said: "We had a great time on Saturday, very muddy, but hey...fab music and so well organised!! Will definitely be back next year, so let's hope the sun will be too!! Well done to all the organisers."

Manjit added: "We were humbled by the support and kindness of everyone who got involved in keeping the event going - from the local farmers who worked into the early hours towing vehicles off site, to the army of volunteers and festival goers who performed incredible acts of kindness to keep the festival alive.

"In the end, it became a community event where everyone pulled together to work as a team. We are deeply appreciative and thrilled so many turned up and enjoyed the weekend."