PERFECT weather, a great line-up of acts and a crowd intent on enjoyment – all the ingredients were there to make Eastleigh Festival 2010 a real winner.

Known as “a bit of a hidden gem” in festival terms, the event continues to grow in stature and yet retain its true heart.

The aim is for inclusion and a real sense of community – and that’s exactly what you got at Eastleigh Festival.

The day-time events were all free and the Mela on the Sunday was a major attraction with dancing, competitions, displays and great music from Raghu, Dixit, Baghdaddies and Shama.

On Friday night the line-up in the big-tent had folk songstress Cara Dillon headlining to an appreciative crowd.

Support acts included Lau, Jim Moray and Bemis.

There were plenty of families enjoying the entertainment and soaking up the sunbeams during the day on Saturday. And as the sun started to dip, the main stage came to life once more.

Talented Southampton six-piece band Haunted Stereo got the evening under way, followed by the engaging sounds of Peggy Sue. Hot from playing Glastonbury and Richard Thompson’s Meltdown festival, Sunderland-based Field Music brought energy to the stage.

Main attraction Badly Drawn Boy aka Damon Gough came on stage to a warm welcome. And it was the crowd that kept him going through a bad tempered set that saw him swearing and at one stage he threw down his harmonica in sheer frustration.

He complained about the sound – and only seemed to settle when he was joined on stage by his guitar playing tour manager and bass player.

Whatever had gone wrong between the sound check and appearing on stage, it clearly unnerved the performer and it was down to the crowd to reassure him that what they were hearing sounded fine.

He explained it was his second live performance this year and it was only at the penultimate song that he seemed to relax.

Eastleigh should be congratulated for hosting this event – let’s hope in these times of austerity it remains on the calendar.