Music in the Park photo gallery: Hundreds turn out for Stansted's music festival at Bentfield County Primary School

Record crowds flocked to Stansted’s Music in the Park last Saturday (July 9).

As the sun blazed down, hundreds of families gathered in the grounds of Bentfield County Primary School in Rainsford Road to welcome back the popular festival - now in its 19th year - which showcases local talent and raises money for the school.

With all 600 tickets sold, plus extra on the gate, chair of governors and PTA committee member John Black said that it was their “biggest year ever”.

He said the committee was hopeful of topping the £7,500 raised at 2019's event. This year's money will ultimately benefit pupils, with playground improvements among the plans.

Throughout the event, thirsty festival-goers drained four barrels of beer, kindly donated by village pubs, the burger and hot dog stand sold out, as did the sweets and novelty toys for children, while the ice cream van had a “bumper day” and donated a significant sum to the school afterwards.

“It was amazing. I think it’s our biggest year ever and that’s probably a result of it being the first one for three years combined with the good weather,” said Mr Black.

“The committee are hoping, given the attendance and sales, that we've had a big year. There were a lot of people there, and it was absolutely amazing and wonderful, and the atmosphere was just lightning – it was buzzing!”

The line-up of bands included ex-pupils and some artists who have previously performed at Music in the Park.

Industrial Language, a band made up of teenage students from De Rosa Music in Bishop's Stortford, kicked off the afternoon entertainment, followed by Milla, another former pupil making his second appearance, this time as a soloist.

Shakila K, the daughter of Karim Ullah, who owns Indian restaurant Brohmon on Chapel Hill, thrilled the audience with her "amazing performance" and then well-known local band The Spacehoppers, who have been together for 20 years, got the party going with their repertoire of cover songs.

Guitarist and keyboard player Jay Williams also featured along with Goat Patrol, DJ Fran and headliners The Jarrs, one of the UK's premier cover bands.

And there was plenty of entertainment laid on for little ones too, with bouncy castles, face painting and fun toys with inflatable guitars and fluorescent spectacles proving a hit with young festival-goers.

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