A ‘JOYOUS madness’ descended on Newbury this weekend as thousands of people turned out to a host of events in the town centre.

Friday night saw more than 2,500 people gather to paint the sky a rainbow of colours in one of the Corn Exchange’s most exhilarating outdoor events.

French company Artonik presented ‘Colour of Time’ – an exuberant eruption of colour, music and dance inspired by the traditional Indian spring festival, Holi.

The audience were encouraged to take part in the theatrical dance parade that saw the French artists travel along Northbrook Street and in to Market Place, leaving a trail of colourful powder and people - as well as some of their clothes - in their wake.

The show culminated with an explosion of colour outside the town hall, when the thronging crowds danced and cheered as everyone was covered in the red, green, yellow and blue natural mais powder.

Simon Chatterton, head of outdoor arts for Newbury’s Corn Exchange, said: “I think it was fantastic. The audience really went with it and it was incredibly participatory and fun.

“It was like a moment of joyous madness.

“For me it was also great to see that people were really transfixed by the whole dance element that led up to it.

“The artists said it was definitely one of their best shows so far.

“We’ve been hosting the outdoor events for six or seven years now and there seems to be a ready audience that seems to leap at the chance to come out and watch.”

Peta Stoddart-Crompton, pictured with one of the French company’s dancers, said: “Events like these let Newbury show its true colours. It was amazing to see so many people being a part of something so special.

“We are very lucky to have such cutting edge cultural events happening on our doorstep. Many thanks to the Corn Exchange.”

The weekend also saw the culmination of the month-long Newbury Fest, which closed with the Waterways Festival on Sunday.

This annual event, now in its 48th year and originally held to encourage use of the Kennet and Avon Canal, saw thousands of people flock to the wharf and Victoria Park to enjoy boat trips, music, fairground rides and more.

This year saw the waterway brought to life with a flotilla of pirate-themed boats and the now-famous 1,000-strong plastic duck race again brought the day to a fitting close.

Rob Dean, chairman of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, said it was a good way to remind people in West Berkshire of “this great asset they have running through there”.

A packed Newbury Racecourse also played host to a family-friendly event on Sunday.

The Dubai International Arabian race day offered free entry and a host of off-the-track entertainment for all the family.

Turn to page 4 to find out what the audience thought of the Colour of Time.

More on Waterways Festival on page 3.