Royston Kite Festival 2023 'one of the most successful ever'

The event, which took place on Sunday, August 6, has been organised by Royston Rotary Club for more than 20 years, and was hailed as "one of the most successful ever".

Representatives of the Letchworth and Baldock Lions with Chloe and Monty in the kite-making tent (Image: Clive Porter)

Dozens of kite flyers took part despite the brisk winds, with a full display in the sky above the heath.

The festival was launched by Mayor of Royston Cllr Lisa Adams, backed by town crier Graham Pfaff in full regalia and Rotary district governor Barbara Middleton.

Frankie Osborne colouring in her kite (Image: Clive Porter)

There were more than 60 stalls, ranging from a tombola to Royston Cycling Club and Folly's Farm Donkeys, which has sanctuaries caring for animals worldwide.

Rotarian Ray Munden also ran the historic vehicle show, which featured a range of classic cars and other vehicles.

Kites circling the skies above Therfield Heath (Image: David Blundell)

The historic vehicle show is held twice a year - both at the Kite Festival and at Royston's May Fayre.

Other Rotarians from clubs across the region helped at this year's event, along with scouts and the Letchworth and Baldock Lions Club, who ran their traditional children's kite workshop.

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Rotary Club president Phillip Martin said: "It’s been a great day - good fun particularly for the families with children who have come along. 

People turned out to the kite festival in their thousands (Image: Clive Porter)

"It was lovely to see the youngsters enjoying the Teddy Bear Drop and having the opportunity to fly their own kites."

The Kite Festival raised more than £8,000, which will go towards Ray Munden's chosen charity of the year, Angels Support Group.

The Hertfordshire-based group helps families of children with ADHD or on the autistic spectrum.

Town crier Graham Pfaff, Rotary district governor Barbara Middleton, Royston Rotary president Phillip Martin and Mayor Cllr Lisa Adams (Image: David Blundell)

Rotary Club treasurer David Smyth said: "We’ve had a tremendous reward for a lot of hard work by our members and their partners, and we’re delighted that such a good cause will benefit.

"We would particularly like to thank our sponsors, Johnson Matthey, Royston First, Tees Law, NCPI, Hardcastle Burton, Kashec and Easthope Associates for their help and support."

Alec Newman with his vintage Ford Zodiac (Image: Clive Porter)

The Kite Festival takes place every year on the first Sunday in August, although it was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.