3:27pm Monday 1st September 2008
By Andrew Ffrench
BUNKFEST returned to Wallingford bigger and better than ever as the sun blazed down on 20,000 visitors . . . on Saturday at least!
Last year the annual festival had to be scaled down because of a lack of funds and instead a smaller event was held to raise money for this year's BunkFest.
But music, dance, steam and beer was back on the agenda for the town's residents as one day of hot weather brought thousands to the Kinecroft.
Over the weekend more than 1,000 performers staged 200 acts in 20 venues around the town. BunkFest artistic director Dave Newson said the hot weather on Saturday meant this year's comeback event - the seventh - could be the most successful ever.
He said: "Last year, the Thames burst its banks and it looked too risky to go ahead with the festival, so we held a fundraiser instead and I think it has turned out to be a wise decision because we have really bounced back.
"In 2006, there were 15,000 people here and the beer takings from Friday night are well up on the same night in 2006, so I am estimating a total of 20,000 visitors by the time we wrap up on Sunday.
"The whole place is absolutely thrumming - it's music, dance, steam and beer all the way and people have been having a very good time.
"Osibisa, a band from Ghana, played on Friday night and they really took the place to pieces - there were thousands of people watching them."
Mr Newsom said Martin Carthy, one of the best-known folk singers in the country, travelled on a 133-year-old steam locomotive from Cholsey station to get to Wallingford.
The festival is named after the Bunk, the branch line running between Cholsey and Wallingford, and folk singers gave regular performances on the trains during the festival.
Mr Newsom said: "BunkFest first started when Bob Wyatt, the landlord of the Cross Keys, wanted to celebrate his 50th birthday.
"He bought a marquee and after that things got a bit out of hand and the festival developed from there.
"The idea was to promote the cultural life of the town, help the businesses and tourism, and the railway line and we have certainly achieved that this weekend."
Music and dance formed a large part of the entertainment on the Kinecroft and events were also staged at other venues across the town, including the George Hotel, the Cross Keys, The Dolphin, and the Coach and Horses.
Ben Robinson, 28, of the Icknield Way Morris Men in Wantage, was in one of the groups performing on the main stage at the Kinecroft.
He said: "This is my third year here and the weather has done us proud. It's a lovely festival, very friendly."
Simon and Jameson Wooders were at the festival with Berkshire Bedlam Morris Dancers.
Simon, 49, said: "We have been Morris dancing for over 20 years and this is a great place to come and enjoy a pint."
Steve Price, 39, visiting Wallingford from South Wales, said: "I don't really understand what Morris dancing is all about, but everyone seems to be having a good time. It's very chilled out."
Erik Bellamy, 61, travelled to Wallingford from Loughborough and said: "I travel to a lot of folk festivals and I'm looking forward to having a go at the ceilidh."
Kate and Dave Admans, of Watlington, brought their daughter Jodie, nine, to the festival, and friend Alison Semple brought her daughters, Holly, 12, and Isla, nine. Alison said: "We are regulars here - this is the fourth or fifth time we have been here."
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