May 2011
Looking forward to summer...
The early arrival of the warm, sunny weather brings back many happy memories of last year's Swanmore Carnival and Fete, when we were blessed with glorious sunshine, bringing out thousands of locals for a thoroughly memorable day. Already arrangements are well in hand for this year's event on Saturday 9th July, when we hope to put on an even bigger and better show with something for all the family - so put the date in your diary now.
If you're part of a local club, sports team or group why not get your people organised to take part in the carnival parade? There's plenty of scope to be creative and imaginative with this year's theme, which is, "At the bottom of the garden". You don't even need to have a lorry-driven float to take part, because you can improvise like many of our regulars with tractors and trailers, prams, bicycles, skateboards and good old fashioned walking groups. Similarly, if you have a classic car you want to enter for the classic car display, or feel you need to don your leathers for the classic motorbike rally along the Meon Valley, we'd love to have your support. To take part in any of these carnival events, call us on: 01489 894932.
At the afternoon Fete, you'll find lots of terrific attractions on the New Road recreation ground. The Fallowfields Falconry team will be undertaking a live flying display and there'll be an area where you can see all the birds of prey up-close. We've lined up a steel-pan workshop where youngsters will be coached in how to play these great instruments for a live performance for mum and dad in the main arena later in the day. There'll be lots of other music plus other entertainment such as a petting farm and a first for Swanmore in the shape of ferret racing. (Yes - we'll be keeping them well away from the birds of prey area!)
Last year we attracted almost forty commercial and charity stalls to help you spend your cash and there's be plenty to eat and drink from the Lions tea tent and the licensed bar courtesy of the Rising Sun public House. Again, if you're interested in having a stall at the show, please call us on 01489 894932.
Swanmore Carnival and Fete is an event coordinated by the Meon Valley Lions with support of the Swanmore Parish Council and numerous other groups, for the benefit of the local community and with the aim of raising money for local causes. It requires a huge amount of effort to make it a success, so if you can help in any capacity (marshalling the parade or bike and car events, serving teas, or helping on the gate), we'd love to hear from you.
Left: The classic cars in procession through the village in 2010 - picture courtesy of Tom Kalus
