Another Monmouth Festival came to a close last weekend (Saturday 2nd August) with the presentation scaling new heights. A new look stage and better sound helped to make this possibly one of the best festivals yet as the money taken in the buckets broke all records, topping £18,000.

Chairman of the Festival Committee, Les Modget hailed the nine days of music as a great success: "We took it to another level this year with a better stage, sound and viewing screens which did incur an extra cost. "We have a very good festival team that works really hard on a voluntary basis; no-one gets paid for their time. "I have been chairman for four years now and felt a really fantastic feelgood atmosphere on the last night, everyone was having a good time. Even the security guards said how well-behaved everyone was. The nine day festival and donations on carnival day raised over £18,200.

For more pictures visit the Monmouthshire Beacon and Chepstow Beacon blog: monbeacon.wordpress.com/