A sell-out crowd enjoyed a day of live music and entertainment in the sunshine at Buckden’s annual music festival on July 14.

This year’s Buckfest – voted Cambrideshire’s best festival for the last two years - sold out within eight hours, making it the fastest selling event yet.

Nicky Warnock, organiser said: “We’re so proud of what we’ve achieved again this year, each year we want to make the festival better and better and I think people who attended will agree that this was our best yet. Our eyes are already focussed on 2019, it will be the tenth anniversary of Buckfest and we want to do something really special. This will take an extra special effort and we’ll need even more support than before.”

The volunteer Buckfest committee were: Rick Holden, Nicky Warnock, Jon Hill, Ian Brasher, Scott Kitson and Simon Sherratt.

Buckfest started in 2010 with just 100 attendees, one stage and three bands. Since then, the festival has grown each year and now has 2,000 people attending the event, three stages and 21 bands.

The St Neots town crier Ian Payne welcomed festival goers to the event and headliners were Essential 80s’, from Worcestershire, who played a set of 80s tunes.

Festival goers were encouraged to dress up and embrace the 80s theme.

Buckfest Battle of the Bands winners The Lucky Lessons opened the festival and other performers during the day included Fred’s House, Woodley Taylor, The Hot One Two, Soul Intention and Treble Damage, amongst others.

Arena entertainment was provided by Pendragon Circus who wowed the crowds with their fire eating act and their circus skills workshops for children were a huge hit!

A great range of food, local beers and ciders were on offer as well as a gin and prosecco tent, speciality cocktails and a Pimms bar.

Buckfest has firmly established itself as a family-friendly event, this is evident from the large number of family groups who stayed late into the evening to enjoy the music and entertainment.

The event has raised more than £35,000 for local charities since 2010, and this year’s nominated charities are the Malcolm Whales Foundation and Three Pillars Feeding the Homeless. A presentation will be made to both charities on September 15 at Buckfest’s annual party.

Black Cat 107 were broadcasting live at the event, the radio station’s breakfast presenter Ste Greenhall compered the festival’s ‘shed stage’ with acoustic talent throughout the day including Raffan Rivers (former Battle of the Bands winner), Tilt the Windmil, Just Tom and Pete and Jo Ash – to name but a few.

Buckfest is organised by a small volunteer committee, and is supported each year by local businesses who sponsor the event and also provide goods and services. The festival recruits a large number of volunteers who help run the event on the day.

INFO: If you are interested in supporting next year’s event as a sponsor or volunteer, contact: info@buckfest.org.uk.