Heart of the Forest Festival 2007

The Heart of The Forest Festival was a huge success.

A colourful parade kicked off the days events, which travelled along Leicester Road, down the High Street to the events arena at Measham Leisure Centre.

Around 4,000 people from the village and nearby communities such as Donisthorpe, Oakthorpe and Ashby attended the event.

The event included a parade of floats and walkers including Scottish pipers, a jazz band, stilt walkers, jugglers, fire eaters, four schools from the area, Brownie and Guide groups as well as the Donisthorpe Scout Band and an open-topped bus.

A range of activities, games and stalls were then held for visitors to the village to enjoy at Measham Leisure Centre.

Bob Bissell, chairman of the festival committee, said: "It went beyond all expectations.

"It was absolutely fabulous to see such a turn-out of people from Measham and neighbouring villages for this spectacular event.

"There has been no parade in Measham since the closure of the pits and some people got quite emotional when they saw the parade."

Thoughts are now turning to making the festival an annual event.

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