Bumper success for Clifftop Festival

STAGED in perfect weather Gorleston in Gear's Clifftop Festival has been hailed a bumper success drawing at least 30,000 to the three day event.Despite a hectic rush to set up and Saturday's summer downpour, organisers say they were delighted with the support from local people whose finances did stretch to give charity and trade stallholders a good day.

STAGED in perfect weather Gorleston in Gear's Clifftop Festival has been hailed a bumper success drawing at least 30,000 to the three day event.

Despite a hectic rush to set up and Saturday's summer downpour, organisers say they were delighted with the support from local people whose finances did stretch to give charity and trade stallholders a good day.

With a new team and a re-think on the layout Gig chairman John Barnden said that things had gone more smoothly than ever behind the scenes.

With more traders than ever on site for two days rather than one it meant added revenue making up for some of this year's lost sponsorship.

The air display element was missed by many, Mr Barnden said, adding that it was all down to the numbers on the balance sheet.

A stiff breeze kept people off the beach and on the clifftops where it was still warm enough to be jacket-free.

Traders and fairground folk all reported a good weekend with the Aquasphere walk on water attraction and the Oblivion ride, both new for this year, going down well.

Sterling helicopters also had a good day taking passengers for a sky-hop along the coast - only stopping because the pilot ran out of air time.

A glitch with the Oblivion - so new it is still under guarantee - meant a man had to be flown in from Holland on Monday to fix its computer system before heading off to another event.

Mr Barnden said appeals for volunteers had garnered a good crop which had made things much easier for the core Gorleston in Gear team.

“It was excellent. We were blessed again with good weather. On Sunday I thought it was as busy as last year which was a very good one for us. There is something for everybody, people do not feel pressured and can choose what they want to do.”

A handful of troublemakers caused a few problems on Friday night and the mix of music, alcohol and revelry did not go down too well with near neighbours who complained that things went on for too long on Sunday after the fireworks - counted in by a Max, who was plucked from the crowd to do the honours.

“It proved to us that we can do it, and more smoothly than in the last few years,” Mr Barnden said thanking crowds for their support and good behaviour. Encouraged by the success, preparations are already underway for next year's event, which promises some surprises and new additions to the successful formula.