A picturesque village's first music festival has been hailed an outstanding success as the rural community overcame bad weather that scuppered many other bank holiday events.

A picturesque village's first music festival has been hailed an outstanding success as the rural community overcame bad weather that scuppered many other bank holiday events.

Villagers turned out in huge numbers for the four-day event at Hoxne, the diverse programme also attracting visitors from as far afield as Scotland, Devon, London, Cambridge and Milton Keynes.

“It was a fantastic and amazing success and hugely rewarding for the dedicated volunteers who spent many months organising everything,” said Stuart Jarrold, the festival committee chairman.

“We had planned an open air free concert on Sunday afternoon on the village playing fields with half a dozen local bands.

“But when we heard the wet weather forecast we quickly arranged for marquees to be erected instead so that both the bands and spectators could be accommodated in the dry.

“Such is the community spirit in our village of Hoxne that the local primary school and Alan Garnham of Waveney Trees, who has his business based in the village, immediately offered their marquees.”

Sixties soul star Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band, supported by Denny Newman and the Regulars, played to a sell-out crowd in the village hall, and the parish church was almost full for a classical recorder recital by world famous musician Piers Adams, accompanied by harpsichordist Howard Beach.

The festival also included musical workshops for youngsters, busking, jazz, and maypole and clog dancing.

“Our main aims were to bring world class performers to a rural community and raise money for local village organisations and charities. With the generous support of many local advertisers, businesses and local authorities we have, I think, achieved that,”added Mr Jarrold.

He said given continued support, it is hoped the festival may become an annual event.