Only two months to go to this year’s celebrations! I’ve already heard that some people are busy buying at the jumble sales in readiness for making their scarecrows! Well done to them, and let’s hope more families will feel inspired by this year’s theme – ‘A Festival of Film’ - to put up a scarecrow and really make Sway look in the Carnival spirit.

The new venue for the start of the procession on the Friday night worked well last year so we will be starting at the Village Hall Green again this year. One of the things that has not run too smoothly in the past is the gathering together of the group entries in order that they may be judged, so, always trying to improve, we are trialling judging as the procession gathers on the road before setting off. The entries will be called forward onto Middle Road and once they are in line the judging will begin at 6.45 and the procession will set off at 7p.m. This year we are also asking all entries to have a banner saying who they are, so not only will you know who each group is, but also it will help keep the groups together. The after-procession party went well last year so it is planned again for this year, but with more food available and plenty of music.

The Family Fun afternoon will not be held at Sway Manor this year (they are planning to hold a cocktail evening probably based on the Great Gatsby – look out for details later). The Family Fun afternoon will be held on the Village Hall Green- still on the first Sunday, where there will be entertainment and refreshments for all the family.

The competition for the children this year is an exciting one - will be for them to create a storyboard for a film – entry templates from Winkworths and the website – and the entries will be judged by a TV cameraman.

Finally, just a reminder that we are trialling an earlier start for the Fete. It is planned to run it from 11-3p.m.

All the other old favourites are planned- Wine and Cheese evening with the sommelier from the Chewton Glen and the return of Jonathan the cheese expert from Waitrose, the Disco, the Beetle Drive the Historic walk, plays by the Drama club etc etc. The programmes will be about next month and we hope that many of you will join in these events as Sway is quite unique in holding a full week of activities.