THE organisers of the Old Town Festival are looking forward to another successful event this year.

The annual festivities, taking place between Friday, June 27 and Saturday, July 5, are brimming with a full programme of activities for all the family to enjoy. Things kick off with a Caribbean night at the Commonweal Marquee, based in The Lawn, at 7pm on Friday, June 27.

Band Going Underground will be playing and there will be a fancy dress beach competition and party games.

Trevor Smith, festival chairman, said: “Preparations are going well and we’ve been planning for several months, starting last August. The Old Town Festival is about showing that Old Town is not just being a place to socialise, work and live but also showcase the wide range of talent that we have out there. The quality of the bands and performers we have this year is very, very high.”

One of the highlights of the festival will be The Lawn Family Day on Saturday, June 28. The event will feature bands, games, stalls and refreshments, while the festival’s committee is also planning a fun run.

This year the family day will also accommodate Swindon’s Armed Forces Day events. Swindon Council couldn’t approve plans to hold a standalone fun day also on Saturday, June 28, in Faringdon Road Park after organisers didn’t provide health and safety plans.

Trevor, who runs The Liden Arms, said: “It is unfortunate to hear what has happened with the Armed Forces Day events so we wanted to do something to make sure that Swindon marked the day. We are very keen to work with military organisations and charities who want to be part of the event.”

Trevor said the Lawn Family Day is looking to have a military village and should have firm plans about the event’s Armed Forces Day element next week.

This year’s Old Town Festival will come to a close with a band day taking place at The Bowl in the Town Gardens between 1pm and 10pm on Saturday, July 5.

Artists include Corsairs, The Hippie Club, Ruff Diamond, Zing and Get Carter amongst others.

Trevor has held the position as chairman for two years and will be stepping down from the role after this year’s event.

Trevor, who will remain on the festival’s committee, said: “I got involved following an off the cuff remark while I was presenting the breakfast show on Swindon 105.5. We did a story that the event was going to fold if it didn’t get a new chairman so I said I’d step in. I came off air to a phone call asking if I was serious and the rest is history.

“I’ve enjoyed it greatly but it is hard work and I need to step down to concentrate on my business. It has been a pleasure serving as chairman and we’ve got an incredible team who work hard to put the festival together.”

l To see the festival’s full programme or to hold a stall at the Lawn Family Day visit www.oldtownfestival.co.uk.