CARNIVAL fever has hit villagers who are in for a fortnight of events and celebrations before Bromham Carnival night on June 23.

The teddy bear trail will be put up at the weekend as over 20 entries take part in the fun route around the village.

The family friendly hunt will challenge visitors to identify which country the cuddly creatures represent, with flags strictly banned.

The carnival has been running for more than 50 years and raises around £4,000 a year for a range of local charities, including the church, children’s groups and recently Julia’s House children’s hospice in Devizes.

Pet shows, bingo and a music quiz night have already taken place and a garden talk tonight (Thursday) is in the Social Centre from 7.30pm. Tomorrow (Friday) night there will be fun on Millennium Field where residents will be pitted against each other in a series of traditional village pursuits including welly wanging, hay bale throwing and milk churn rolling.

Treasurer Cathy Welsh moved to the village three years ago and said taking part in the carnival was the perfect way to get to know people in Bromham.

She said: “The great thing about the Bromham carnival is that it crosses all boundaries. There are people we see at carnival that you never seem to see for the rest of the year.

“As an outsider I have found organising the teddy trail a fantastic way to get to know people.

“There are lots of traditional events like the field day but we also have newer events like the photography competition and the bake-off, which were introduced last year.”

On Friday night Lola Turnnidge and Kyron Haddon were chosen as the carnival prince and princess with Logan Lewis, Lilly Norris and Ezmay-Rose Burgess as the young prince and princesses.

The carnival itself on June 23 starts at 2pm on the Jubilee field, with live music in the evening.