CLIMBING the great inflatable obstacle course and sipping Stockbridge ale, families from a village near Winchester celebrated their first ever festival.

Raising money for the local cricket club, The Crawley Crows, residents pulled out all the stops for the village’s food, drink and music festival Crawleyfest which has been four months in the making.

Families from across the county gathered in the village centre – with as many as 250 queuing an hour early – to get their hands on local food and drink produce as well as arts and crafts from the many stall holders.

There was a dance competition, an afternoon of story-telling, a village tug-o-war and a gladiator jousting arena. Headlining was local band LOIC who performed in front of the hundreds of people sipping ales from Flack Manor and Alfred’s Brewery.

The event was organised by local residents Joy and Andrew Baker, Jess and Tim Anderson and Tom Willsher.

Mrs Baker said: “We’ve had live music this afternoon and lots of stalls selling cupcakes, jewellery and ice cream and children’s crafts and lots of local ales from Winchester, Romsey and other areas.

“This is our very, very first year and we sold out a month ago. It’s a really great family atmosphere and it’s so much more than a standard village fete. We wanted to bring entertainment and great food and drink to the surrounding villages.

“Though we don’t have a target in mind, we’re hoping to make a profit and make a sufficient fund to support the youth team and the facilities at the club.”