RAGLAN Festival was back to its best last weekend as local people came out in force to have fun in the sun – a far cry from the torrential rain of 2012.

The pupils of Raglan Primary School kicked off the weekend, with excellent performances from the orchestra, musical groups and soloists culminating in the school choir's superb rendition of the James Bond theme 'Skyfall'.

Festival Chairman Col Knight presented the Rhydian Avent Bursary Awards to Millie Malson, Hannah Hurst and Jamie-Lee Lewis, providing the three youngsters with music lessons for a year.

The festival focus this year was to promote and nurture young local talent. The Children's Workshops on Saturday morning were buzzing with activity as music filled the air from the open lessons on drums, guitars, brass and woodwind, with the new DJ mixing decks proving particularly popular.

Various groups, choirs and orchestras performed on the main stage with the Taiko drums providing this year's feature.

Raglan Baptist Chapel had capacity audiences for all performances there over the weekend, Torfaen Big Band, Hot Club de Croesy, Saxaquential and Torfaen Gospel Choir to name but a few.

Newly-formed band Never Can Tell performed an energetic set of 50s and 60s rock numbers while supporting the Mighty Pledge at The Beaufort. Pennie Ray stole the limelight on Saturday evening on the main stage with her cool jazz.

Local musicians played on the Beaufort Terrace and in The Ship Beer Garden during the afternoons, with crowds gathering to take in Seventh Circle performing a set of raunchy rock. The Crown Inn saw rock bands Turner Street Crash and The Artillery make a welcome return to the festival.

Wannabe musicians and singers also had their turn at the various open mic sessions.

Sunday morning's open air Joint Church Service was well attended while St Cadoc's Church proved an excellent venue for The New Harmony Singers, featuring local French Horn player Hannah Stonelake, the Operetta Night and a performance by The St Woolos Players.

Peasant's King, the newest name on the Welsh Indie Rock scene, played the Beaufort main stage with a powerful set of original tunes and the grand finale featured top tribute band Bon Giovi.

Festival committee member Kim Knight said: "We were absolutely thrilled with the weekend, having achieved our aim of creating a buzz in the village. The weather was good, the music was great and we were really pleased to see the locals with smiles on their faces."

The Festival Committee would like to thank everyone involved for their support, from local businesses and volunteer stewards to those who attended the events.