A LITTLE slice of the American Deep South came to Pierrepont Farm in Tilford over the August bank holiday weekend as fascinated folk flocked to The Big Meat barbecue and music festival.

Taking place for the first time at the open-air museum south of Farnham, the festival celebrated all things barbecue from low and slow cooking of Carolina through to Argentinian asado, Caribbean jerk and, of course, the humble British banger.

Demonstrations were given by Simon Dyer, winner of ITV’s BBQ Champ, and also from reigning Grillstock champion Priscilla Queen of the Firepit, while Frensham Brewery’s award-winning ales added to the array of tasty treats on offer.

The Big Meat also boasted two days of live music including international funk sensations Redtenbacher’s Funkestra, cajun and zydeco super group The Pistol Shrimps and blues from The Nat Martin Band, as well as Seasick Steve tribute ‘Sicknote Steve’ on the three-string transponder.

Although intermittent rain threatened to spoil the party, co-organisers Leo Mansell and James Lowe hailed the event as an “amazing success” and have already announced the dates for next year’s festival – August 26-27.

“Firstly, thank you to all our guests who visited over the weekend, the hardworking teams, the bands, the vendors and traders, our supporters, family and friends and anyone else we are likely to have missed off this list. There’s a lot more of you to thank than in 2015,” said Leo.

“We promise you that 2017 will be more of the same format that has worked this year, but tweaked, improved and even meatier!

“Already we’ve started the wheels in motion for a special addition to next year’s offering!”