A COMMUNITY came together to celebrate where they live with an inaugural festival.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend, more than 20 groups, clubs and organisations took part in Love Augusta Park, showcasing what the estate has to offer from craft activities to performances.

At venues and parks across Augusta Park, young and old highlighted their talents, with performances by Fairplay Performing Arts and Endeavour Primary School dance troupe.

Championship skateboarders from Team Rubicon and local boarders took to the skate park for a skate jam.

Activities also included yoga, judo, art workshops, singing and dancing, along with community picnic, and on Saturday evening an outdoor cinema showed Bohemian Rhapsody.

And on Sunday morning a service was held, with six churches represented.

Reverend Lee Davies, of MORSE church, said: “The festival came about essentially through a number of agencies working on the estate to try and develop a sense of community.”

Speaking of the weekend, Rev’d Davies added: “Saturday had a real buzz about it, Sunday was a bit quieter, it was really wet and windy. The feedback we have had is that it was a really positive experience, there was a real sense that this is a good place to live, ‘we are happy to live here’.”

And there will be a lasting creation from the festival, as many took part in a community art project painting jigsaw pieces which will be displayed somewhere in Augusta Park.

Taylor Wimpy, Co-op in Augusta Park, Test Valley Borough Council and the Diocese of Winchester all donated funds and food for the celebration, to help offer a free experience and fun for all.

n All images by Ian Longthorne