A RECORD crowd picnicked, sang along and jived the afternoon away at a free music concert.
The umbrellas were back at Nork Park for the 17th Banstead West Music in the Park on Sunday, but this time they were shielding the crowd from the sun's hot rays, not the heavens' downpours as in the past two years.
The weather helped bring 3,000 people out for the event – double the previous highest crowd of 1,500.
The music event was organised for the last time by a volunteer band of residents, who will hand over the reins to the 1st Nork Scouts next year.
Committee member Peter Bright said: "It was absolutely brilliant. It was by far the biggest audience we have ever had. We had 2,000 people by 1pm, just after it started, when we normally have about 30. And people stayed throughout.
"It was massive. We ran out of everything – water, beer and wine. It was a great day, great music, and all the reports we have had are of people saying how good it was."
Regular favourites returning to the party were Ben Thompson, who was recently judged the second best Elvis impersonator in Europe, Sarah Pullen performing songs from the shows, and Colin Roy and Friends who led a mass conga around the park.
Other acts who provided the soundtrack to a hot afternoon were the 7T disco band, the Redhill Baptist Church Gospel Choir and the Redhill Corps of Drums.
Money raised on the day will go towards putting on the event next year.
Profit, expected to be about £3,000, will be ploughed into improvements in the park. Over the event's history, it has helped raise funds for a trim trail, shelters, benches and a skate park.
