Greasley Sounds – A Roaring Success

The day was all about bringing people together with free, family-friendly entertainment during the school holidays – and thanks to the amazing support of our community, stallholders, performers, and partner venues, it was everything we hoped for and more!

From start to finish, the Recreation Ground and wider parish were buzzing with excitement. Families flocked to see the DinoLive shows, which proved a huge hit with audiences of all ages. The life-sized dinosaurs – including a mighty T-Rex and a 4-metre-long raptor – thrilled the crowds in the arena before making walkabout appearances, giving children unforgettable photo opportunities and a healthy dose of prehistoric fun!

The White Post Farm Animal Roadshow was another clear favourite, giving youngsters the chance to meet and handle friendly animals, reptiles, and even a few creepy crawlies. The fun didn’t stop there – throughout the day visitors enjoyed live music, fairground rides, inflatables, the Pure Steel Band, and even life-saving skills workshops, ensuring there was something to entertain every member of the family.

Foodies were spoiled for choice at the bustling food court, which offered a tempting range of cuisines and treats. From flame-grilled favourites and Italian street food to fresh donuts, artisan coffee, indulgent cupcakes, and traditional sweets – there was truly something for every appetite.

A major highlight of the day was the fantastic line-up of local performers, who filled the parish with live music and great energy. Local duo B2 performed an all-day session in the Parish Hall, drawing in crowds with their mix of classics and crowd-pleasers. Nicole Hannah, a talented local musician and songwriter, impressed audiences with her superb acoustic performances, while Groovy Tuesdays, a ukulele group from the East Midlands Ukulele Project, brought smiles all round with their upbeat tunes and mission to tackle loneliness through music. Each act added their own special touch, making the event feel truly community-driven and inclusive.

We were also thrilled to see families making use of the vintage bus route, which connected the different venues throughout the parish. This simple addition made it easier for everyone to explore, ensuring the event remained accessible and welcoming to all. A special thank you goes to County Councillor Glyn Pepper, whose generous £1,000 contribution from his Divisional Fund enabled us to provide a third bus on the route. This extra service made a huge difference on the day, allowing even more local families and children to travel between sites easily and enjoy something fun together this summer. We are very grateful for his support and commitment to our community.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our community groups, volunteers, stallholders, entertainers, and venues, who worked tirelessly to make Greasley Sounds such a memorable day. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re so proud that this free event brought joy to so many local families – especially at a time when affordable community activities mean so much.

From all of us at Greasley Parish Council, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make our first Greasley Sounds a huge success. We’re already planning next year’s event – so stay tuned for what’s to come!