The people of Royston and surrounding villages turned out in their thousands on Sunday, August 7, for the soar-away success of the town’s revitalized Kite Festival. The Festival, organised by Royston Rotary Club, was returning to Therfield Heath after a gap of two years caused by the Covid pandemic. Rotary Club president Peter Mitton told visitors: “It’s great to be back again – we’ve really missed you”, as the event was opened by North Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald. So many people, as many as 6,000, flocked through the gates that the car park was packed by mid-afternoon and the popular Tombola ran out of prizes. Winds were sometimes variable, but the experts flying the kites still managed to put on a full display. The ever-popular Teddy Bear Drop went ahead as planned and the historic vehicle show adjacent to the festival and run by Rotarian Ray Munden broke a record, with 80 exhibits including jeeps and a tractor. Rotary has been organising the event, Royston’s biggest outdoor gathering, for more than 20 years. This year Royston Lions Club ran their children’s kite workshop, and Rotarians from Saffron Walden, as well as members of the town’s 41 Club and Scouts, also helped. Event manager Martin Berry said: “To see so many families enjoying themselves was wonderful. It was a real team effort – almost every one of the club’s 32 members and many of their partners joined in.” Visitors included Royston Mayor, Cllr Mary Antony, and North Herts Council’s Chair, Cllr Sam North, as well as Rotary’s District Governor Andy Calvert. Club treasurer David Smyth said “We are confident that this year’s Festival will produce a sum of at least £12,000 to donate to charities, including Hope and Homes for Children and Hertfordshire Mind Network. That’s a tremendous reward for a lot of hard work, and we’re delighted that such good causes will benefit”. To see the photo album of this year’s Kite Festival click here . Text courtesy of Neil Heywood, photos courtesy of Neil Heywood and Ray Munden

Local MP Oliver Heald (on left) opened the Kite Festival