WITH 25 bands playing everything from jazz and soul to reggae and Latin sounds, it wasn’t surprising that this year’s Alresford Music Festival attracted a chilled crowd of more than 5,000 people.

The music lovers crowded into Arlebury Park on June 9 to enjoy a feast of music from morning to midnight that filled five stages.

Now in its ninth year, the festival has grown from its humble beginnings as a small music event and now raises money for local and international charities who help disadvantaged children, or those with learning difficulties, learn and enjoy music.

It is, said organiser Sue Thomas, who works with a dedicated team of people to stage the event, “a family-friendly festival”.

“To keep costs down we try to get well-known bands who aren’t famous on stage and in our big top tent we had the smaller bands and DJs performing.

“In another, author Alice Sparke was launching her latest children’s book and if people were feeling creative there was craft work and painting to try their hand at. They could also enjoy the thrill of bungee trampolining or getting to the top of the the climbing wall.

“And our theatre tent and festival village offered a wide choice of local and international food and a large Champagne bar with wine and cocktails, and nearby the Ringwood tent served the beer and lager.”

Sue added: “Last year we had around 4,000 people at the festival and raised £10,000, but this year there were more than 5,000 festivalgoers so we hope we have made more for our charities.”