The second Winchester Festival of Volunteering was held on Sunday (June 3 2012) and once again it joined forces with the city's version of the nationwide initiative 'Big Lunch', known as One Big Table.
Winchester MP Steve Brine attended and along with the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Frank Pearson, addressed the crowd to kick off the celebrations which were held outside the great building that is Winchester Cathedral.
This year's event was extra special as it coincided with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and a four-day long public holiday which meant the crowds in Winchester were even larger than usual.
Steve said; "The FoV is a chance for the many voluntary organisations in Winchester to recruit new members and find new helpers but it is also a chance for people like me and the city as a whole to say thank you for the work they do all year round helping local people.
"Last year was the first festival and the rain came down so hard it was a bit of a washout so it was great to have a second coming in 2012 and, aside from a few spots, the weather was kind to us. Susie and I made a special point, as last year despite the downpour, in chatting to every organisation represented and thanking them for all they do. Once again I am struck and in awe at the strength of our society in Winchester and hugely proud to be the MP for this city.
"The fact we combine this celebration of Winchester's BIG society with the One Big Table event is excellent; it allows us to celebrate food from around the world and gives those of us attending the chance to grab some top-class lunch!"
The event is organised by Winchester Area Community Action (W.A.C.A) and its' energetic Chief Executive, Paul Williams as well as CultureNet which was set up almost two years ago to bring together Winchester's ethnic minority communities to promote opportunities for greater integration and to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the city and district.
Pictured; (top) The Festival from afar, nestled in the leafy surroundings of Winchester Cathedral, (middle) Steve Brine MP with WACA's Paul Williams being crept up on by the Chinese dragon which again visited the festival and (left) Steve speaking from the stage flanked his daughter, Emily.
More information ...
Visit W.A.C.A online - www.waca.org.uk
One Big Table - www.onebigtable.org.uk
Culture Net - www.culturenet.org.uk