Thanks to the generosity of people attending the Wiltshire Festival Party in the Park on 21 August, fire fighters from Westlea station collected £1,400 for the Fire Services Benevolent Fund.

At the Classical Extravaganza night, on Friday 20 August, a collection for the the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Service also raised £1,400.

Organiser Andy Cotton from Middlleaze, on a visit to the fire station in December, paid tribute to the emergency services for their assistance and said it was important for a big event like the Wiltshire Festival to help where possible. "Without them the crowd would not be as safe as they are. It is was good to see the fire fighters showing off their skills in a different setting."

Fire fighters carried out a vehicle extrication exercise in the festival arena which was later shown to the crowd on the giant video screens.

Collection coordinator firefighter Tim Elliott said, "the Benevolent Fund assists fire fighters who have been injured and families of those who have lost their life in the course of their duties. We're thankful to the people who made a donation at the Party in the Park."

Get ready for Festival 2000 spectacular

Andy Cotton and Eddie Sharpe are planning to make the Millennium Wiltshire Festival at Lydiard Park an even bigger success.

"We have had tremendous feedback on this year's events and we want to build on it," said Andy. "People were very impressed by the performances and the addition of video screens helped crowd excitement. They love being on TV. Next year we're looking at having two stages so that there is continuous entertainment.

"We're working on the classical evening, but for the Party in the Park, we're talking to Catatonia, Human League and Steve Winwood. Tony Hadley put on a great show and we might ask him back.

"Not only did the crowd enjoy themselves, all the performers had a really great time."