A former chart-topping band performed at a village family fun day in Hatfield Peverel, which was sponsored by local housebuilder Bellway.
Tight Fit, who had a number one hit in 1982 with ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’, appeared on the Bellway stage at the Party in the Park on the village recreation ground on Saturday 1 July.
The pop trio were one of a number of bands that played at the event, which is organised by Hatfield Peverel Parish Council, and had local band Skamite at the top of the bill.
Bellway Essex, which is building 335 new homes at its Priory Grange and Hatfield Grove developments in Hatfield Peverel, donated £1,520 to the council to help fund the event. Organisers used the money to hire Skamite and to fund the clean-up operation after the show.
The Party in the Park is a popular annual event at the Village Hall Recreation Ground and attracts thousands of people each year. Organisers estimated that this year’s crowd was around 3500 people over the course of the day.
The not-for-profit event, which started in the afternoon and finished at 10pm, included live music, food and drinks stalls, a bungee ride, a classic car show, a bouncy castle, face-painting and a raffle.
Mark Weale, the Chair of Hatfield Peverel Parish Council, said: “Another fantastic day bringing together and celebrating local music, local food and our local community. Just can’t beat this wonderful atmosphere.”
Laura Trigg, Sales Manager at Bellway Essex, said: “We are currently building new homes across two developments in the village and, as such, feel we are very much part of the local community. We are fully committed to having a positive effect on the daily lives of everyone already living here.
“The Party in the Park is one of the highlights of the village’s social calendar and is a day when the whole community comes together as a family to have some good old-fashioned fun. We were keen to get involved and to make a donation to help the party go with a swing and support local bands and businesses.
