Rhythms of the World is a music and arts festival in Hitchin, and the largest free festival of its kind in Europe. This year, The Cornerstone Alcohol-Free Bar was based in the Town Hall, selling cocktails, hot drinks and cakes.

Around the centre of Hitchin, there were many venues, ranging from outdoor music stages in the streets, to smaller 'fringe' venues in pubs, and even a stage within the large St. Mary's Church. These venues each hosted a wide range of musical talent throughout the day, showcasing the full range of local talent and culture. The Bar was set up in the Town Hall, converted into the festival's Dance Hall venue. Despite this being one of the hottest venues in the town, many people visited the Hall throughout the day to take part in the numerous dancing events, including square dancing and salsa dance lessons.

We had a great time working on the Bar, and the atmosphere around the town was brilliant. Everyone had plenty of time to enjoy the festivities, as well as selling cocktails to help raise money for our friends in Zimbabwe. Cultural awareness seems to be at the very heart of Rhythms of the World, and so being part of the Bar team for this event seemed to fit very well into the vibe of the festival as a whole. I look forward to future years!