Over recent years buyers have become more discerning, resulting in many pitch holders upping the quality and lowering expectations of sale costs.

Sellers, movers and shakers know a golden opportunity when they see one; braving early-morning elements to exchange a boundless variety of unwanted items for cold, hard cash. Regular car boot goers happily travel for miles to bag that booty before the unknowing rest are even out of bed.

This influx may boost trade elsewhere in a town, at the very least putting it on the map to yet another portion of the public. Valuable news now then that Downham is about to become home to a regular Saturday morning car boot sale. And the idea, brainchild of local business people Dan and Gina Blackwell, is in a very modern cause.

Dan, diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) describes himself as a "high maintenance husband". His compulsion to hand wash is a trait other OCD sufferers may be familiar with – perhaps even footballer David Beckham, possibly the most-famous OCD suffering "high maintenance husband" in the world.

Here in Downham OCD Norfolk has now set up a weekly support group for local patients professionally referred. The sessions are held every Wednesday and run by Chris Rutherstone who also runs the Lynn OCD group. In recognition of the extreme specialist help the organisation offers, all entrance donations to the Downham car boot sales will be given to OCD Norfolk, as will any additional pitch monies raised after covering costs.

The first of the sales, which will take place every three weeks at the Methodist church from 10am to 2pm, is on Saturday, June 7.

Pitches (inside and out) cost £5 per car, and £8 per transit van and are available to private sellers only: To book a pitch, or for more information, contact Dan or Gina on 01366 381496.

Dan is also the man behind Moonlite Photos. This year he is working together with our festival committee and will be donating half of all profits raised from sales of his festival week photos back to it. Look out for him on the Howdale this weekend. The same 50 per cent back offer applies, throughout the year, to other local groups and organisations employing Dan's services. Obsessive the man may be, but also compulsive entrepreneurial viewing!

The weather held and, Hallelujah!, our festival parade was at least, this year, able to happen. But what, over the years, has happened to it? It's dwindled to three floats, two bands, a fleet of lorries, another of mini cars and a blink and you miss it – begging the question do we, as a community, even want the parade any more?

Well, judging by the numbers turning out to see it, I'd say we do. Sadly, I'd also say that unless more are encouraged to join in next year, we won't even need to blink to miss it.

On the plus side, The Jets float on Sunday was simply stunning, the Lynn Community Samba Band spiced any wilting spirits up, and Geoff Hall, dressed as a clown and happily jangling his collection bucket for our donations, worked as a reminder that our parade is all about giving and a much-anticipated start to a fun-filled week for the enjoyment of all of us.

Free festival events continue this weekend and include organ street music today, the ever-popular family day on the Howdale tomorrow, and the flag-lowering ceremony in the town square at 7pm on Sunday.