Festival season’s three consecutive weekends of celebration in town (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)
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Festival season’s three consecutive weekends of celebration in town
4:01pm Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News
Chippenham mayor Andy Phillips, his wife Nina Phillips and Sea Cadets at last year’s festival
Chippenham families can enjoy three weekends of festivities in a row this summer.
The River Festival, usually held on August Bank Holiday weekend, has been moved to July 20. It will follow the English Civil War Society’s re-enactment on July 6-7 and the Rotary Club’s dragon boat day on July 13.
John Clark, director of ChAP Projects Ltd, the charity delivering the river festival, said it had been brought forward so fewer people would be on holiday. He said: “People should have a brilliant time in July with three great events on the trot.”
The fifth river festival plans to feature trips by the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust, displays by Chippenham Canoeing and Sailing Club, the rowing club and Calne Divers, and a new river exhibition by the Museum and Heritage Centre.
It will all be launched with a grand flotilla of craft. The big swim, from the Sailing Club to the Olympiad, arranged by the Outdoor Swimming Society, will set off at 3pm.
Other entertainment includes tree walking, strolling comedians, extreme bungee trampoline, Punch and Judy, quad bikes and bouncy castles, as well as a beer tent and music from the Original Sax Quartet.
The festival had to make cutbacks this year and event co-ordinator Liz Boden was made redundant.
ChAP needs about £20,000 to put on the community event celebrating the River Avon. Half of the funding was provided last year by Chippenham Town Council.
Mr Clark said: “We’ve established they won’t be able to offer that amount again.
“As always, we are dependent on our sponsors and grant bodies to contribute sufficient funds to make the festival possible. We’ve made a few economies and we hope to not ask for as much as usual. We will be applying for a four figure sum from the council. We also need some more volunteers.”
He said he was optimistic sponsors would be found.
Mayor of Chippenham Coun Andy Phillips said: “The river festival is great fun, tremendously well- organised and very popular.”
Anyone wanting to sponsor or volunteer can call Mr Clark on 07713 501700.
