THOUSANDS of people ‘chilled’ in blazing sunshine at the Vale Earth Fair yesterday. While festivalgoers spoke of a laid-back atmosphere, organisers were hopeful that attendance could have been one of the best.

‘Judging by the number here, it looks as if it could be as good or even better than last year,’ said Earth Fair Collective stage manager Rob Roussel, 41.

‘The weather has been perfect, even for the setting up – which was good, as helpers tend not to turn up when it’s raining.’

Some 40 bands or artists were on the bill, including 11 from the UK.

Proceeds will be split between four charities, the same ones as last year – The Burma Campaign UK, The Free Tibet Organisation, Oxfam and Amnesty International.

Each shared a total of £15,000 from last year’s event.

Mr Roussel said it now cost in the region of £40,000 to put the Earth Fair on. That money had to be recovered from admission charges and proceeds from the beer and food tents, which were manned by volunteers.

‘Culture Guernsey has supported us for a number of years and without their help, I think it would be very difficult to put this on,’ he said. ‘I just don’t think we would be prepared to take that risk.’

Local bands played for nothing but the UK groups were paid, albeit at negotiated rates.

‘These UK bands are professionals and they’re on the road full-time,’ said Mr Roussel.

A lot of people, possibly hundreds, travelled to the event from Jersey, which Mr Roussel said was pleasing.

‘We found that UK people who come here once always make the effort to come back again.’

Jim Letts, 37, from Brighton, was acting as sound engineer for his fourth year in succession.

‘I just love this festival,’ he said. ‘It’s got that organic vibe and its very much a DIY festival and not at all corporate, like say Glastonbury.

‘It’s well organised and people are allowed to get on and have fun.’

He said one of his favourite bands was Toupe, from the UK, which performed on the Discharge stage.

‘I’ve seen them a few times and they’re brilliant,’ he said.

Artist Peter Root, 29, said the venue was ideal when the sun shone.

‘I think it would be rubbish if it was raining and I’ve no romantic vision of wallowing in mud like they do at Glastonbury,’ he said.

Banker Paul Billington was attending the Earth Fair for the first time and he voted it a hit.

‘I think it’s brilliant,’ he said. ‘I thought all that noise would kill me, but it’s very good.’