THE bunting was hung around parts of North Swindon on Saturday as kids and grown-ups came together for the Haydon Wick festival.

Held at the Emmanuel United Reformed Church in High Street, the day saw friends and neighbours make the most of the July heatwave.

A musical parade snaked down the High Street and various stalls selling treats and knick-knacks kept people busy for hours.

Organiser Ellen Baker-Lee, of the Haydon Wick Parish Council, said: “It’s all about getting the community together. If you’re a new resident and haven’t met anybody yet, it’s a good excuse to knock on your neighbour’s door and get them out.”

It was free to enter, but people were asked to donate cash to Brighter Futures’ radiotherapy appeal, which aims to raise £2.9m to bring cancer care to Swindon.

Haydon Wick residents Cheryl Dennett and Ian Dennett were thrilled to see the community come together for a summertime celebration.

Cheryl, 71, said: “Ian and I haven’t lived in this parish very long, but one of the things we have noticed since day one is the real sense of community spirit. And this just goes to show what people can do when they all get along.

“It’s very pleasant to chat to people, and listening to the band play has been a real delight – they are very good.”

A marching band lead the parade and residents let their appreciation be heard with a stomping round of applause afterwards.

Sue Cox, 37, and family, who live just outside the parish, seemed to be enjoying themselves. Sue had brought her 12-year-old son Lucas to the carnival, and admitted she didn’t expect him to have got himself quite so excited.

“He loves it,” she said. “He’s been running around all afternoon, we can hardly keep up with him.

“Events like this are great because they bring everyone together, and it’s good to be a part of it.”