IN PICTURES : A week ago Midsomer Norton was looking forward to THIS

The Midsomer Norton Music and Arts Festival WILL be back next year.

Organisers put their heart and soul into the free community event, which celebrated local performance and creativity. So they were decidedly tired when it came to the end of the day in the Town Park, but insisted it was worth every bit of hard work.

They told Nub News the event WILL be back in 2024.

As well as a fantastic selection of live music from bands including some impressive musicians from Bath College, there was art, face, and wall, painting and lots and lots of sunshine.

Community Trust Engagement Coordinator Beth Whalley said : " It was a real pleasure to work alongside Midsomer Norton Music & Arts Festival, Somer Valley FM and a host of dedicated volunteers to bring such a special event to the Town Park. I was especially pleased that, thanks to funding from the Midsomer Norton Cultural Programme, we were able to offer local families the opportunity to take part in lots of free creative activities celebrating "My High Street". Midsomer Norton has so much to offer – that much is clear – and we hope that events like this will continue bringing people to our town, its High Street and its fantastic community spaces for years to come. "

Somer Valley FM's Richard Burgess said: " "Midsomer Norton are fortunate to have such a brilliant Community Trust, who work so effectively with the Cultural Consortium. The organisational team of Beth Whalley, Martyn Plant, Alex Davis, Gordon McKay, the odd dabble by me, along with so many volunteers who put in so much effort on the day, means that the whole community can benefit from Festivals such as last Saturday's Music and Arts Festival.

"I love the fact we can feature music from our local schools and College, and excellent established local artists, right through to our headliners, who are shortly to play at Glastonbury, having won the Pilton Stage competition.

"It shouldn't be forgotten this was also an arts event. For anyone who saw and got involved with the Arts Trail, face painting, graffiti artist and so many other activities in the huge tent, the family-fun was very special.

" Along with our excellent food stalls, and thirst-quenching Outfield Festival operated drinks bar, we think our catering offer was pretty strong too. A free event, attended by 3,000 brilliant people joining the party, with no problems whatsoever, demonstrates again what the citizens of Midsomer Norton can do. And the plans to top it for 2024 are underway. Watch this space!"