25562-19THE QUIET village of Purton is all set to come alive for its lively carnival fortnight.

The Helping Hand Carnival starts today and throughout the next two weeks the village will be hosting a range of events and activities, culminating with the carnival fete and procession on Saturday, June 26.

Organisers say that although the village is still coming to terms with the recent murder of 21-year-old Purton woman Amanda Edwards, they are determined to make the carnival a spirited affair.

Carnival secretary Pauline Ward said: "We have just got to carry on.

"Our thoughts are there and always will be, but we know that the carnival has got to go on and will help lift the village.

"We have been planning the carnival for more than a year and must follow it through.

"Of course, we all have our own private thoughts and I hope that is how everyone will view it.

"Preparations are going well, but things are certainly hectic. We could always do with more volunteers to help us out as there are only seven people on the carnival committee now, most of them pensioners.

"We have been working hard to organise this year's carnival in the hope of making it bigger and better than ever before."

The format of this year's carnival procession is different from previous years.

Starting at Restrop View at 2.15pm, it will wend its way down through the village turning off into Witts Lane before entering the Common Field off Vasterne Hill.

People going to the field are asked to enter via Witts Lane only.

It will be the first year the procession ends at Common Field, allowing the floats to park and be awarded their prizes.

The carnival will then carry on into the evening with entertainers, charity and trade stands, a craft marquee, a small funfair, a barbecue and a licensed bar.

Hundreds of people are expected to turn out for the carnival and all money raised will be pumped into the village's Helping Hands charity.

Cricklade Town Festival also kicks off today with the Cricklade Triathlon starting at 1pm.

Various events will take place in the town throughout the next fortnight culminating with the famous duck race on Sunday, June 27.

Visit www.crickladetownfestival.co.uk for more details.

DIARY OF EVENTS

Saturday, June 12: Model Railway Exhibition, 10.30am to 4.30pm at the village hall. £1.50 adults, £1 concessions.

Friday, June 18: Coffee morning and art exhibition, 10am to noon at the Silver Threads Hall.

Saturday, June 19: Mile of Coins, 9am to noon through the village. Carnival committee members will be collecting money through the village in fancy dress. Quiz, 7.30pm at Village Hall, £10 for a team of four with licensed bar.

Sunday, June 20: Walking and car treasure hunt, 2pm at the Ghost Train pub. Raffle, bouncy castle and barbecue.

Monday, June 21: Kennet Accordion Orchestra in concert, 7.30pm for 8pm start. Tickets £3.50, £2.50 concessions. Licensed bar and raffle.

Wednesday, June 23: Bingo at Village Hall at 7.30pm. Licensed bar and raffle.

Thursday, June 24: Teddy Bears' Picnic at Village Hall. Tickets £1 including picnic food, games, dancing and story telling. Junior disco, 3.30pm to 5.30pm at village hall, tickets £1. Come as your favourite popstar. Karaoke and DJ. An Evening of Fashion and Beauty at Village Hall. Tickets £3 includes first drink. Fashion, make-up, nail art, hairdressing and silver jewellery.

Friday, June 25: Carnival lunch, noon to 2pm at Silver Threads' Hall, sausage and mash. Raffle. Darts at the Working Men's Club. £2 for team of three, which must include one female.

Saturday, June 26: Carnival Day Procession, 2.15pm from Restrop View through High Street, Station Road, Witts Lane and into fete field. Procession will include the Bluebell majorettes, decorated floats and fancy dress. Fete runs from 2pm to 11pm at the Common Field off Vasterne Hill. Float prizes awarded 3pm. Free admission, parking £1.

Tuesday, September 14: Open meeting at Silver Threads Hall at 7.30pm to find out how much has been raised and where it will go.

Emma-Kate Lidbury