Wet weather fails to dampen Thornton Heath's festival spirit (From Your Local Guardian)

Wet weather fails to dampen Thornton Heath's festival spirit

10:38am Monday 8th September 2008 in Video news By Harry Miller

The Thornton Heath festival went off with a bang yesterday with music, dancing, stalls and plenty of food.

Throughout the day stalls sprawling across the high street offered visitors fun while shopkeepers opened their doors and held impromptu barbeques.

The Comets Steel Band played an array of catchy tunes while jerk chicken was on offer at nearly every turn.

Thornton Heath safer neighbourhood team’s Sergeant Ieuan Isaac said: “There has been a really good turn out today. We are here to keep the area safe and we are happy that today will be a really good one.

“There are, of course, elements that we have to keep an eye on but they know who we are and we know who they are so I can’t see it being a problem. I think everyone is just here to have fun.”

Organiser and Thornton Heath centre manager, Jason Grant, said: “After a poor start to the day, weather wise, we have had a really good turn out. People seem to be flooding here and everyone is really enjoying themselves. After the success of today I think we are now going to do this every year. It is a great opportunity to get the community together doing something they all enjoy.”

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