THIS is a bird’s eye view of a Dorset music festival which is likely to be making a substantial contribution to a local charity.

The fifth Chesil Rocks festival held at the home of Tim and Hilary Warren at Higher Farmhouse, Langton Herring was caught spectacularly from the air by Matt Kilsby who won this year’s photograph competition and two tickets to next year’s event.

The Warrens said the 2016 event, which supports Samaritans of Dorset, was ‘hugely successful’ with all tickets to the 500-capacity event sold.

Proceeds are still being counted but are expected to amount to a ‘significant contribution’ towards Samaritans’ budget.

A wide range of acts performed on four stages including Jess Upton & the Guilty Pleasures, the Gravity Drive and the Million Dollar Bash. Others to grace the stages included Ken Watkins, the C Sharp Blues Band, the Portesham Ukulele Band, Tamara Konstantin, Darron Garnett, the Unprepared Jug Band, the Dorset Wrecks, Seren, Magdalena Atkinson and the Band of the New Hardy Players.

There was also comedy from Tom Glover, Alf, Maggie Whitehouse and Wayne the Weird, plus storytelling from Jenny Moon. Catering for people of all ages, there were many activities for younger people including face painting and fossil painting, hair braiding, a den and play area and a storyteller.

Tim Warren said: “The weather remained kind and although cloudy for most of the day, the rain fortunately held off.

“Many attendees thought it the best Chesil Rocks yet.”

Hilary Warren said: “We are extremely grateful to our helpers and volunteers, in particular to John Lewis and Patrick and Lisa Warren, also to David Webb, Jean Lucas and Di Gilliver from Samaritans, Lesley Balmer our treasurer, John Mason, Stuart and Lesley Bainbridge, John and Janine Nunney from Portesham, our daughters Sidonie (who designed the programme), Hannah and Sarah, helpers Rebecca Hayward and Max Neilson (aged nine), volunteers from Langton Herring and Portesham and to the Langton Herring Village Hall and Fete Committees.”

The Warrens said they were also indebted to the many sponsors and businesses for generous donations, plus a special mention to Robert and Anne Mayo for allowing those attending to park on their land and to local residents for tolerating the event for the fifth year.