Thousands turn out for free festival (From Bucks Free Press)

Thousands turn out for free festival in Chesham

9:20am Thursday 2nd August 2012 in Chesham By Andy Carswell

A FREE Olympic-themed festival in Chesham attracted more than 5,000 visitors over the weekend.

Thousands descended on Lowndes Park for two days of entertainment at the More Than Gold festival.

Among the attractions over the weekend were an appearance from football freestyle champion Daniel Cutting, a graffiti wall, African drumming, a sumo contest and a giant table football.

The weekend was rounded off by a concert featuring 18 top musicians, who finished the festival with rousing renditions of Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.

More Than Gold was organised by the 12 churches in the town, who collectively raised the £14,000 needed to put the festival on.

Nigel Gordon, who helped organise the event, said it was a huge success.

He said: "It was absolutely buzzing on Saturday afternoon. That was the busiest day.

"We managed to get everything in between the huge thunderstorms - there was sunshine nearly all the time."

A full-scale repeat next year is unlikely but a focus on either music or sport could be on the cards.

Mr Gordon said: "We'll do one or two of the elements next year. It was put on for the community by the community and by the churches within the community.

"It was very successful and it would be great to try and do something on a smaller scale next year in conjunction with the council, who were very supportive."

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