It's great fun to be young

7:30pm Sunday 16th September 2007

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DANCE workshops and live bands entertained thousands of people at the town's second Youth Festival in the Town Gardens.

And the celebration of young people's activities from around Swindon was hailed as a huge success by organisers on Saturday.

Steve Richards, co-ordinator for the free nine-hour event, said: "It has been excellent. People look like they've really enjoyed themselves and the weather has been kind to us.

"It is a great way for young people to take part in different activities.

"It is aimed at 11 to 19 year olds and by the looks of it they have turned out in high numbers."

Face art and hair braiding were on offer to visitors, while Swindon College's catering department were frying the French speciality of frog's legs in garlic butter for people to taste.

Bystander Gareth Davis, 22, of Old Town said: "It tastes a lot like chicken.

"It was better than I thought it would be.

"I'd definitely try it again."

Swindon College chef lecturer Steve Matthews, said: "Having festivals like this really helps attract a lot of interest for the courses we provide at college.

"Numbers are up 15 per cent on last year for the NVQ course which is great."

New College student Josh Chesterman, 16, manned a stall that offered people advice on health issues.

He said: "We had the sexual health Olympics where people had to answer questions against each other.

"Also people could guess the unit levels in alcohol and win a prize.

"The festival is all about having fun."

Young carer Alison Crabb, from Walcot, who looks after her 44-year-old dad Peter who has Multiple Sclerosis, was helping with the carers' stall.

The 16-year-old said: "We have a couple of games people can play like guess the name of the teddy and guess how many sweets are in the jar. "It's been a really enjoyable festival."

Rebecca Ball, 13, from Rodbourne said she had a fabulous day out.

"It's nice to chill out and listen to the bands. Thorn was really good," she said. "There's lots to do, it's brilliant and there's a nice atmosphere as well.

"The hip hop dancers were very good."

Another visitor Sue Bennett from Highworth added: "I've had a great time. It's such a good idea as there was never anything as good as this when I was a kid."