1. Overview

This year the Festival will be held on Saturday 12th June and we will endeavour, as usual, to maintain the same ethos as previous years i.e a good family fun day out with plenty to do for the children. The profit from the sale of programmes will go to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. The price of programmes will continue to remain at £1. The theme for the procession will be “Nursery Rhymes”.

2. Site Layout

This will be very similar to last year but this year we aim to make much better use of the extra space between the ditch and the A30 by adding some extra attractions. Green Lane will again be closed for normal traffic from 12pm until 5pm

3. Attractions

In the Arena we will have:

Musical Display by the Old Basing Royal British Legion Corps of Drums

The Kangaroos Gymnastics Display Team

Hook Eagles Morris Men

Alison Hagan's Footwork Dance Troup

Tug of War

Childrens’ Races

Other attractions will include:

Circus Workshop

Pinxston Puppets

Funfair

Miller’s Ark Animal Farm

Beer Tent

BBQ

Beat the Goalie

Ice Cream van

Candyfloss Stall

Grandpa Spells Jazz band

Classic Cars

Steam engines

Face Painting

Several Bouncy Attractions for the Children

Sumo Wrestling

St. John's church children's fun area (new)

Children's slide

……………and, of course, a vast variety of stalls

We will even have a fun Dog Show this year!!

4. Procession

The theme for the procession is “Nursery Rhymes”. Hopefully we will get a similar positive response as previous years. The procession will start from Greenfields at 12.30pm. Those taking part are required to be there between 12 and 12.15pm

5. Stalls

Such is the popularity of the Festival, the request for stalls grows each year and we are now just about full. However, with the extra space on the common that we had last year, we are able to accommodate a few more stalls.

6. Arena

There will be a stage at the side of the arena in the form of a 45ft low sided lorry, where the opening ceremony, presentations and MC, will provide the focal point.

It looks as if there will be a much more positive response to the Tug of War entrants this year, so we may have to extend the closing time to 5.30pm.

7. Classic Cars

Basingstoke Classic Car Club is once again helping us to organise this. We anticipate a similar number of cars to last year

8. Programmes and Sponsorship

The preparation for the programme is in hand and all selling areas have been agreed with HDC. Sponsorship letters are being sent to past and potential new supporters and we hope that everyone will be as generous as last year.

9. Publicity

A similar article to the one in Contact magazine this month will also be used for Hook Focus, Odiham Parish Magazine, Hampshire Voice, Basingstoke Gazette and Fleet News. It will also be displayed in local village halls and church notice boards.