SCOOPFULS of fun were on offer at Haslemere’s first Dylan’s Ice Cream Festival last Sunday, which saw Lion Green packed to overflowing.

Liphook resident Ben Govier has attracted a huge and loyal following since he founded Dylan’s Ice Cream, named after his family’s much-missed black labrador, nine years ago.

After opening his first ice cream parlour in Wey Hill three years ago, in addition to two roving vans, he has won Great Taste Awards for two of the many creations he crafts from the freshest ingredients at Manor Farm in Langrish.

Ben’s many fans turned out in force for the first community event he has mounted in Haslemere, which featured sheep races, Ice Cream Olympics races for children, live music, in addition to new taste sensations, and amazingly was organised in just two weeks.

So big was the turnout on Sunday, Ben had to race back to the farm midway for fresh supplies of ice cream.

“All of haslemere came out,” he said. “It was a bit made, the whole green was full. We couldn’t have done better and it was perfect weather.

“I only did it as an experiment to try it out before my 10th anniversary next year, when I want to do a big party.

“Craig Skidmore from KidsRoam did the sheep races and there was a huge crowd for that. I made a load of products I hadn’t done before, like raspberry and lemonade ice lollies, coconut ices for vegans and Mr Whippy-style soft ice creams.

“My entire family was there helping, both my brothers, my sister, mum and dad. My Saturday boy Harry Bridgeman did a smoothies stand, my Sunday girl Alice Reed did a churros stall and one of my customers ran a DIY sundae stand.

“I’ve also now opened a pop-up parlour in the new Guildford Village.

“I’m moving to Fernhurst Business Park at the end of the year because it’s now too small where I am on the farm.”