Week-long carnival keeps an eye on the sky as boules event nears (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Week-long carnival keeps an eye on the sky as boules event nears

4:34pm Friday 13th July 2012 in News By Victoria Ashford

With the Sherston Boules and Carnival expected to attract thousands of visitors, organisers were praying for dry weather.

The annual week-long festivities draw people to the village from Britain and overseas to take part in what organisers say is the biggest one-day boules competition in the country on Saturday.

Organising committee member Anthony Towle said: “I feel confident about the weekend and I’m leaping up and down in excitement, so hopefully the sun will shine.”

The boules event was started 27 years ago by the village doctor and priest after holidaying together in France. They came back to the village and launched their own competition.

Mr Towle said: “It just grew and grew from there, but it can’t grow anymore because we don’t have the space. This weekend is going to be quite a big event. It has grown into something very successful.”

Throughout the week, various events have taken place, including a carnival walk on Saturday to Willesey and a performance by Ballet Nimba African dance group yesterday, who are due to perform at WOMAD later this month.

Mr Towle added: “Everything has gone very well this week so far and hopefully it will continue to do so. The main focus is on Saturday when we have got all sorts of things going on.”

Tonight there will be a free carnival children’s disco at the village hall from 6pm to 7pm for youngsters of primary school age. A carnival football match in fancy dress will take place at the Knockdown Road sports field, at 7pm tomorrow.

On Saturday, the peal of the church bells will welcome 128 teams of boules players competing in the high street to the backdrop of Morris dancers and various jazz and music bands, including Just In Time at 3.15pm.

A wild west kids-zone has been put on for youngsters aged three to 14 offering pony rides, a rodeo bull and shoot ‘em up games from 11am to 4pm. Entry costs £3.

Local artists will be exhibiting their work in Church Street with a Best of British exhibition due to take place in the British school rooms from 10am to 5.30pm.

On Sunday, there’s the carnival tug of war at Stretchline, Brook Hill, followed by the renowned duck race at 2.30pm.