Sun shines on a fun-filled weekend of events in Leicestershire

Summer might be over but it seems nobody told the sun, as hundreds of people basked in its rays at fun-filled weekend events.

In Great Glen on Saturday, live music festival and charity fun day Glenstock pulled in the crowds to raise money for Loros.

Now in its second year, the event was organised by Scott Clarkson and Nathan Thompson in memory of Scott's mother, Yvonne, who lost her life to breast cancer last year.

Scott said: "We ran the event at the primary school last year. It was a lot smaller than this and everyone had gone home by 5pm.

"This year it's so much bigger and there's entertainment in the evening as well.

"We raised £1,500 last year, so that's my benchmark for this year, but I'm secretly hoping we raise much more.

"The idea of Glenstock isn't just to raise money for charity, but to celebrate life and how lucky we are to be here."

During the day there were stalls, face painting, an outdoor bar, live music and a sponsored chest wax.

Scott's aunt, Vanessa Murden, said: "We're so proud of Scott and what he's done. It's just fantastic to see all these people here."

A stage in the car park of the Old Greyhound saw a number of live acts throughout the day and after dark, including a surprise performance of the famous routine from the film The Full Monty by five local men.

Sponsored by Jones & Burnham motor engineers of Leicester, the men, all aged over 50, performed to the biggest crowd of the evening.

One of those taking part was Mike Green, a builder from the village.

Calming his nerves with a beer ahead of the performance, he said: "We have been practising all week, and we've been spray tanned and everything. It's going to be great and a total surprise, only a few people know it's happening."

Also on Saturday was a free community fun day for the people of Eyres Monsell, in Leicester, with young bands and musicians providing the entertainment.

Monsfest, which was held on Eyres Monsell Park and which had been postponed earlier in the year due to the wet weather, gave young people a chance to shine.

Wayne Natzel, chairman of the Eyres Monsell Community Association, organised the event.

He said the driving force behind it was Crying Out, a charity he founded to give opportunities to young people from challenging backgrounds. "This event is to give a stage to up-and-coming young musicians who wouldn't normally get the opportunity to play to a live audience," he said.

"I'm hoping Monsfest and Crying Out will get bigger each year.

"This is just the start.

"I used to be an aspiring musician and I realised there just weren't enough opportunities in the community for amateurs to perform outdoors like this."

Kicking off the day's entertainment in style was unsigned rock band Living Mystery, from Earl Shilton, who play gigs up and d own the county.

Leicester rapper Lloyd Mongondo, 18, who also performed, said: "I write all my own stuff. Music is my passion and it's what I want to do in my life."

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