HOW terrifying does being strapped by a bar, pulled back and let go to swing sound?

For some of the 370 young people and adults on site yesterday at the Mersea Island Festival, team swing was a new activity for them to try alongside the usual favourites like judo, archery, quad biking and circus skills.

Halstead Gazette:

Cory T with Billy Matthews doing circus skills

Yesterday was the busiest day ever at the inclusive family-friendly festival for people with or without a physical or learning disability.

After their adrenaline-raising activities there was a camp concert, Mersea’s own version of Britain’s Got Talent, and the fun will continue until Monday.

Halstead Gazette:

Donna Wyatt shows off her painting skills

Festival coordinator Phil Ager, on behalf of the Mersea Island Festival Trust, said: “Everyone here gets the chance to do things they otherwise wouldn’t get the chance to so it challenges them and gives an opportunity to try activities they didn’t know they could do.

Halstead Gazette:

Robert Goh is dressed for the circus

“The feedback we get is they can be themselves and there are no preconceptions when they come here and what they can or can’t do.

“There’s nowhere else like it and people come year-on-year because of it.”

Halstead Gazette:

Dominic Cirne , Vincent Leieu and Christopher Routledge at bush craft 

So far, 300 people have stayed onsite, travelling from Essex and Suffolk, Newbury, Oxford and as far as Manchester.

For the rest of the week they can look forward to daily discos... and being rescued by a Newfoundland Dog.

Halstead Gazette:

Thomas Harper (right) has aced judo practice

READ MORE: BOOK NOW FOR THE 38TH MERSEA ISLAND FESTIVAL