I had such a wonderful response to my recent blog about the Secret Garden Party festival I thought I should treat you to some more festival wild things that are we humble humans in full summer bloom in thanks for your kind words!

Pulse Festival grew from a little idea to raise some cash for Southampton’s Children’s Heart Unit as two fathers shared their concerns over their children’s ill health from congenital heart disease. From little acorns come large oaks and this wonderful family festival encompassed all that is good about colourful festival people, the music scene in Hampshire and and our green countryside. Located at Sunnyfield’s Organic Farm there were pigs to pet, organic produce to nosh on and tractor rides to keep the dads … sorry kids happy!

We got to see our lovely friend singer, songwriter and guitarist Lucy Kitchen sing her blend of folky acoustic sounds including the beautiful ‘Blue Eyes’ and a haunting rendition of Lamb’s ‘Gabriel’ one of my personal top 10 ten favourite tunes.

Watching the Pulse people go by in their festival finery was a joy as ever and it was a pleasure to see so many happy families, daft dad dancing and painted faces. We didn’t stay for the evening as my daughter was leaving for three months travels the next day but I did round off my fun with a good jump around to Pronghorn.

One of Hampshire’s finest products of cow punk Pronghorn played Glastonbury this year and got this south coast crowd jumping and one little girl deciding it wasn’t quite her cup of tea…she’ll learn!

As day turned to evening a sunny shower freshened up the revellers and brought with it a rainbow. May it be a good portent for all of the families supported at Southampton General Hospital and may this little acorn of a festival grow into a sturdy oak. I believe the cash raised is still being counted but estimates suggest nearly £10,000 will be winging it’s way to the Heart Unit. A brilliant result, a beautiful event, do let’s have another!