Waterside comes together for first-ever Six Villages Together Festival

Communities across the Waterside have celebrated the first-ever Six Villages Together Festival.

ExxonMobil Fawley was the sole sponsor of the free event, which formed part of the site’s 75th anniversary celebrations and was delivered in partnership with Fawley Parish Council. It brought together residents from Fawley, Blackfield, Langley, Holbury, Hardley and Calshot, as well as visitors from further afield.

An estimated 5,000 people attended the fun-filled day at Gang Warily Recreation Centre in Fawley, enjoying live music and entertainment across two stages, more than 60 stalls and a wide range of free activities for the whole family.

One of the biggest highlights of the day was a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s iconic Dakota, honouring the legacy of those who served and giving visitors a rare opportunity to see the historic Second World War aircraft overhead.

Councillor Laura O’Halloran, Chairman of Fawley Parish Council, said: “The response to the first Six Villages Together Festival was fantastic. Seeing thousands of residents and visitors enjoying the entertainment, activities and stalls made all the hard work worthwhile and demonstrated the appetite for an event of this kind.

“The event simply would not have been possible without the support of ExxonMobil Fawley, whose backing helped bring our plans to life. I would also like to thank every member of staff, volunteer, stallholder, performer and community group who helped make the day such a success.”

The day also saw the launch of Six Villages Together, a local charity established to connect and support residents across the area. Funds raised at the festival will support Six Villages Together and several other local charities, helping to fund community initiatives across the region.

Councillor Allan Glass of Fawley Parish Council, who also serves as a trustee of the charity, officially opened proceedings.

He said: “The energy throughout the day was incredible, with people from across the Waterside coming together as one community. This is exactly what Six Villages Together was created to achieve.
“Our charity will work to connect and support residents across the area, and the festival enabled us to reach people on a much larger scale and build stronger links between our communities.”

ExxonMobil Fawley volunteers worked throughout the day, hosting interactive STEM activities and technology demonstrations, and sharing information about career opportunities. The company’s festival area also featured a Red Bull F1 car and simulators for visitors to experience.

Members of the Fawley leadership team, including Site Manager Joel Mizen, hosted a dedicated tent throughout the day, meeting residents, answering questions and sharing more about the complex.
Free guided coach tours of the Fawley site also departed regularly from Gang Warily Recreation Centre. Hundreds of community members took part, with ExxonMobil employees providing insights into the operations behind the UK’s largest integrated petrochemical complex.

Harry Thorne, External Affairs Manager at ExxonMobil Fawley, said: “The festival was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the Waterside’s strong sense of community, while also helping us strengthen our relationships with local residents and community groups and engage directly with the people who live and work across the area.”

He added: “With thousands of people in attendance, it was a pleasure to meet so many of those who make the Waterside what it is. Speaking directly with residents reinforces why we remain committed to championing community spirit and driving initiatives that support local people.”