THOUSANDS braved the rain and flocked to the Welwyn Festival at the weekend.

It was smiles all round as people met old friends at the Street Market and enjoyed the other festivities.

The festival committee sold �700 worth of raffle tickets, which helped raise funds for this year’s three charities, the Welwyn Playground Support Group, Gombards (home for disabled young people), and 2nd Welwyn Scouts HQ refurbishment fund. The other 70 stalls raised money for many other charities and voluntary groups

Committee chairman Andy Trotter said: “It went great.”

There’s still lots to look forward to in this year’s festival.

Tonight Tony Rook does this week’s second of his now famous Rook’s Tours around the village from 8pm.

On Friday from 7.30pm at the Welwyn Civic Centre, there will be the 10th Welwyn Prom.

On Saturday at 1pm, the children’s fancy dress parade will come down the High Street from the Civic Centre to Singlers Marsh, featuring characters from children’s books.

Also on Saturday the Fun Day will swing into action from 1.15pm to 5pm, with games in ‘Kid’s Corner’, side shows, Punch and Judy, plate smash and coconut shy, ending with the kid’s 40-a-side tug o’ war, the grand raffle draw, and the Mimram duck race.