Honor Giles, festival director, said: "We have made this donation in recognition of the Cottrill family's generosity in letting us use their home for this event.

"We are very grateful to the family. This year's picnic was particularly successful and a sell-out."

Mary Cottrill, one of the owners, said: "SOS Children's Villages is a charity which provides thousands of orphaned and abandoned children worldwide with a loving family and a stable home environment, through its network of villages.

"If anyone would like more information please call me on 752255 or phone the charity's UK office on 01223 365589."

Festival organisers have also announced that plans are already under way for next year and it is due to start on Thursday, June 24.

Festival donation

to favourite charity