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Swindon Wide
Fete for children of all ages

This year's Children's Fete at GWR Park on 19 July will have plenty to appeal to children, teenagers and the young at heart.
Earlier this year. organisers The fete is Swindon's by Mayor Steve Wakefield at 1pm
made a desperate call for funding oldest summer event, to be followed by demonstrations
and donations from individuals and dating back to 1866. Or- I. ( and displays. Among those taking
businesses, and Alcatel-Lucent and ganised by the Mechan- ]n. '/ part are the Bluebelle Majorettes,
inSwindon, the town centre man- ics' Institution, it ran until 1 ./ ^^, Bollywood Dreamers, Boyd School
" "
agement company, saved the day. 1939 with a break during ^ L U/' C) 7 ^ ! of Irish Dance and pe rformers from
the First World War. The S'atur da^J 1 h 7u` the Scouts Gang Show.
A crowds dressed in the best at tradition was revived by 3 J Stalls and sideshows ranging
the Children's Fete in the 1890s r: .^oon - 10.00pm
the New Mechanics' Insti- from a penalty shoot out to a knitting
tution Trust in 2003. T lrewoYk SpectczCU a, 9 45p1rt l stall for youngsters will be available
;, "It's important to pre- i. around the arena. Under 5s have
-^. , serve part of Swindon's Win . their own special entertainment
p
-.,^.^ heritage," said chair ':,x area, with Stories 'n Stuff and
of the Children's Fete, a ? 4. Punch and Judy. Older visitors can
^^ r' Jennylee Hall. "The fair r relax and reminisce over tea in the
r
ground people did the Mechanics' Marquee.
.r^ fair back in 1 939 and L0., •,, In the evening teenagers and
¢ S we try to have them in adults are catered for with local
air exactly thesameplace.Theeventis handed out to every child. performers live on stage until
, aimed atfamilies having fun without The fete will be officially opened fireworks finale at 10pm.
having to spend lots of money."
At 4pm on 19 July, another tradi-
tion continues when free cake is Dig into the past
National Archaeology Week from 12 to 20 July will see events all over
Britain aimed at raising awareness of the past buried beneath our feet.
Voices are for singing
There will be tours of digs and discover what's inside.
Bristol based group 'Naked Voices' are running a day's workshop with exhibitions of finds throughout the Katie Hinds. Wiltshire Finds'
Swindon Scratch Choir on Saturday 19 July, from 10am to 4pm, at the land which can be located at: www. Liaison Officer, will be available
Broadgreen Centre. nationalarchaeologyweek.org.uk to identify and interpret objects
The acclaimed group will lead singers through popular songs and In Swindon Lydiard Park is orga- brought to the park.
more unusual numbers. You don't have to be a proficient singer to take nising a Family Archaeology Dig on Admission will be the normal
part. Everyone with enthusiasm is welcome. Sunday 13 July, 1 pm to 4pm, where Lydiard Park walled garden charge,
Tickets are £25 (£18 concs.) for the day. For details call 875184. a trench will be opened up in the but free to members of the Young
www.swindonscratchchoir walled garden so that families can Archaeologists' Club.