THOUSANDS attended the annual Raglan Festival over the weekend, with young and old trying their hand at a trombone or singing along to Status Quo’s greatest hits.

The three-day festival, now in its 11th year, brought around 5,000 people to the village for a host of performances and music workshops at Raglan Primary School and the village’s pubs.

Among those to perform were Raglan VC Primary School, Coron, the Gwent Police Male Voice Choir and Status Quo tribute band the Belgian Quo.

There were also a host of music workshops for children, along with the Jitterbug Circus skills sessions. Youngsters could try their hand at the millennium chimes, hand bells and trombones as well as a host of woodwind, string and percussion instruments.

Kim Knight, 35, the festival secretary from Raglan, said the event had been bigger than ever this year.

She said: “There’s definitely more interest this year. We’ve got demonstrations and we’re accompanied by the school fate this year which is bringing more activity as well.

“It’s really important. Our main aim is to bring music development and fun to the event and give all children the opportunity to have a go and experience that.

“It’s quite a big item on the agenda for the school and we’ve got a partnership with the school to encourage that development.”

Among the other acts to perform over the course of the weekend were Shimai, Lucy Merrett and Katie Dykes, CoDa, Penny Rae, Frost at Midnight, Catch 22 and Loungin’ About.

The countdown now begins for Raglan Day, which was held separately from the festival last year for the first time in 30 years, on Monday, August 29.

More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the family fun day at Raglan Sports Fields to see the floats, stalls and entertainment on offer.

Anyone who wants to take part in the carnival parade with a float, or operate a stall, can find more information at raglan-festival.org