Picture Ref: 77581-31THIS year's Old Town Festival is to have the biggest opening ceremony so far, with mini Brunels taking centre stage.

Organisers have announced that they want to tie the festival in with the Brunel 200 celebrations, which will be going on over the whole of the south west next year.

And they're calling on the children of the area to dress up as Isambard Kingdom Brunel to honour the engineer at the opening celebrations.

They have planned a feast of events and entertainment for the opening day June 25.

And it promises to be Old Town's most exciting festival. It will run until July 3.

Brian Mattock, the chairman of the Old Town Festival committee, said: "It's going to be a real party atmosphere and we want as many people as possible to come dressed in Victorian costumes.

"As it's the 200th anniversary of Brunel next year we also want children to dress up as little Brunels and walk around Old Town."

The Brunel celebrations will culminate in Swindon with a procession and street party in Swindon in September next year.

Events will be going on across the region at Brunel's landmarks.

In keeping with this Victorian theme the proceeds from this year's Old Town Festival will go towards the restoration of the Victorian bandstand in the Town Gardens.

Mr Mattock said: "This year we decided our fundraising should coincide with the appeal to restore the bandstand.

"For years the festival has had its last day of entertainment in the Town Gardens so this is a wonderful way to pay back the privilege of using it.

"It is grade II-listed and each year it deteriorates a bit more.

"If it is restored it will bring more people to the Town Gardens and will help to put Old Town on the map."

On the first day of the Old Town Festival Wood Street will be closed off, as will Godwin Court.

There will be a farmers' market in Godwin Court as well as a host of other stalls and a jazz band.

In Wood Street there will be entertainment from Punch and Judy, face painting, Irish dancing and bouncy castles.

The official opening of the festival will take place at 11.30am and it is hoped that a local celebrity will do the honours.

Mr Mattock said: "This event will bring the whole of the community together."

The events in Wood Street and Godwin Court will go on until 5pm then the action moves to The Bowl in the Town Gardens.

A concert featuring performances from Swindon bands will take place there until 10pm.

Tickets for any of the events at the festival will be available from a festival shop that will open in Wood Street soon.

Further information can be obtained from Mr Mattock on 01793 522540.

Diana Milne