WATLINGTON is gearing itself up for its first major festival this summer to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its village hall.
Organisers have already got a whole host of events lined up for the inaugural Watlington Village Festival, being held between Friday, July 11, and Sunday, July 20.
Julia Suiter, one of the residents making it all happen, said the event will involv
e all the organisations who use the village hall and really bring the community together.
"A group of us wanted to do something special to celebrate 20 years since the building of our village hall," she said. "It will be the first time the village has come together like this."
A number of events have already been planned across the village, with one of the main highlights being a series of open days from Monday to Friday for village hall users to showcase what they do and to explain to people what they're about.
This will include a performance from the Watlington Players one night, and an afternoon tea dance with Watlington School of Dancing teacher Penny Cooke and ballroom dance legend Peggy Spencer on Wednesday.
The festival kicks off on the Friday with a theatre production in the village hall, and on the Saturday there's a village football tournament for youngsters on Glebe football field.
The Angel pub is also having a beer festival and live band, most likely on Saturday night, although the date and time have yet to be confirmed.
On Sunday there will be an adult football tournament on Glebe football field, along with a car rally and a treasure hunt for children young and old, and throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Watlington church is holding a flower festival.
Other events include a jazz band and hog roast on the Millennium Green on Thursday evening, as well as open gardens and yard sales.
The festival will finish in spectacular style with a grand fete on the church field on Saturday, and a grand prize draw on the Millennium Green on Sunday.
Ms Suiter said draw prizes are still needed, and appealed to local businesses to help with prizes such as vouchers, electronics, meals and days out.
Anyone who would like to donate a prize can contact Ms Suiter on 01553 811887 or 07876 618731.
Keep an eye out for a programme of events nearer the time at Watlington Post Office Stores.
amy.collett@
lynnnews.co.uk
The full article contains 409 words and appears in Lynn News Tuesday newspaper.
