EVESHAM was buzzing as thousands of foodies and sports fans flocked to town for the Pie and Ale festival and the rescheduled regatta.

Organisers described the event as “a triumph” as people mingled in the packed out Abbey Park and Market Square on the same weekend as the rescheduled Evesham Regatta was also held.

The event featured some of the finest food and ales the Vale has to offer, including Asum Ale from Evesham Brewery, along with Piddle in the Hole and Crop Slasher by Wyre Piddle Ales.

Daren Bale, from the Hop Pole Inn, Bewdley, was the expert pie judge on the day, assisted by Evesham Market Town Partnership’s manager Shawn Riley.

Winner of the best homemade pie was Jody Alexander, from Evesham, while Sadie Downey, from the Outdoor Pig Company, in Chapel Street, was named professional champion for the best pork pie and best overall pie.

Festival organiser Vicky Lawson said: “It was a fantastic event and we think there were about 2,000 people there. The event has certainly become firmly fixed in the town’s festival calendar.”

Meanwhile, the sun shone on the Regatta on Saturday as about 100 crews competed on the Avon.

Organisers had to cancel the event in May due to the bad weather and heavy rainfall which made the river unsafe. Organiser Jane Sullivan said: “We had some really good racing and some really close races.

“The weather was really kind to us and it was lovely and sunny.”