Sodbury Festival princess unveiled

ORGANISERS of the Chipping Sodbury Festival have chosen this year's festival princess ahead of this year's packed programme of events.

Millie-May Batten, aged ten, who attends St Johns Mead C of E Primary School in Chipping Sodbury, is this year’s Princess.

Fellow St John's Mead pupil Imogen Allen, 9, and Sarah Dendy, also nine, who attends Old Sodbury Church of England Primary School, are this year’s attendants.

Chipping Sodbury Festival Society chair Kate Cox said the three girls will become "an important part of the Festival team"

She said: "All three are delighted to be successful and are now looking forward to their major role in the Festival."

This year's festival, the 37th , runs from June 9 to 18 and has ‘Ship Ahoy’ as its theme, to celebrate the Chipping Sodbury Yacht Club’s 40th Anniversary.

Kate said: "The Art Trail is returning bigger and better for 2023 after its success last year.

"Music in the Street appears at its, now regular, night - the first Saturday of the Festival.

"With a Quiz, a Barn Dance , workshops, free morning talks and a Jazz Night on the last Saturday it promises to be another excellent Festival.

"The Lion’s Carnival is on the last Saturday and a flypast of a Hurricane aircraft is confirmed weather permitting.

"Something a little different is happening on Sunday 18th, as there will be a picnic in the park with boat races planned.

"Come along to Jubilee Park with your picnic and sponsor a boat to help the RNLI."

The street fair and carnival on June 17 will run from 10am to 5pm, with the carnival procession expected to start at around 3pm.

The picnic event on the 18th will run from 2-5pm in Jubilee Park, and will also feature a performance from the Rock Choir.

The Music in the Street event in Broad Street on June 10 runs from 6.45-11pm.

A huge number of other events, including guided walks, concerts and a treasure hunt, are taking place in the Town Hall and around the town.

For more information visit the website at www. chippingsodburyfestival.com or the festival's Facebook page.

Programmes are available in local shops and community areas.

The following weekend Yate Rocks…in the Park, hosted by Yate Town Council in Kingsgate Park, will return on June 24 and 25 for its 16th incarnation.

Performances by local musicians and dance groups on the Saturday will be followed by a 'Praise in the Park' outdoor church service on Sunday morning, followed by a "relaxed and entertaining" Great Choir Showcase in the afternoon.

Local acts already lined up for the Saturday include The Breakdowns, Decanter, S Glos School Jazz Band, V-Dubz, Sonic Sunrise, Elevation, Kaiju Blue and Beacon Rise, performing alongside local dance groups including Danceworks, 5678 Dance, L A Dance, Stapleton Dance Group, Redds Dance & Drama and StreetCred.

Saturday's events will run from noon until 8pm.

Sunday's events will run from 10.30am until 4.30pm.