Ashington Festival is going to be as big as ever this year! It starts with a large Carnival procession leaving the Old London Road roundabout, north end of the village at 1.30pm, led by the Carnival Banner carried by Dave Alford and David Jackson. Their previous costumes have included Vikings, Garden Gnomes and Zulu Warriors – what are they wearing this year?. The Surrey Pipe Band will be next, followed by the Ashington Carnival Princess (Chloe Bull), her two Attendants (Amy Burroughs, and India Manville), and her Pageboys (Cavan Sopp and James Newland).  Next come floats, more music, majorettes, clowns, vintage vehicles and lots more

The Festival itself will be held on Ashington Recreation Ground in Church Lane, starting at approximately 2.30 pm after the arrival of the procession. There will be lots of arena events with the main act being Stallions of Substance, sponsored by Fowlers Estate Agents. This act combines beautiful girls, stunning horses and a daring motorbike rider, and includes humour, stunts and fantastic horsemanship, showing the obvious love and trust between horses and riders. The Wessex International Majorettes will perform their brilliant dance routines, Nostalgia Steel Band will get your feet tapping, and Charlie the Clown will entertain the children with loads of races and game. 

The Community Centre will host the Flower Show, with a beautiful display of vegetables, flowers and craft items all to a very high standard, and the 2Fast2Furious Car Show will be next to the Hall in the Millennium Gardens. This Show includes American and British Classics, Hot Rods and Custom Cars

On the Recreation Ground, there is masses to do and see. Harris Brothers Fun Fair will provide all the thrills and excitement of a traditional fair, and there is a car boot sale to buy all your bargains. And don’t forget the side-shows, craft and charity stalls, raffles and prizes. What else? A children’s farm with lots of animals to see, ferrets, alpacas and even Bungee Trampolines.  Don’t miss the Fun Dog Show, sponsored by Arun Veterinary Group and supported by PamPurred Pets, with loads of classes for all types of dogs, from pedigree to muttley!

Hungry yet? We have hog roast, jacket potatoes, burgers, chips, paella, doughnuts, soft drinks and ice cream all through the day, with a Licensed Bar available from 1 pm to 11.30 pm in the Sports Pavilion. There is tea, coffee and cake in the Scout Hall all afternoon. Everything is at very reasonable prices.

In the evening we have, not only have a disco, but also a live band playing on the Recreation Ground. We have been fortunate to get the very popular Creative Covers Group, who play music for everyone, right through the decades. At 10pm, there will be a fantastic Firework display, supported by Winner Plant Hire. There will be a Hog Roast, chips, paella and a licensed bar available right through the evening, again at VERY competitive prices, so no need to load yourself down with a picnic!

If you used to live, work or go to school in the village, do come along to the Scout Hall at 4pm, there is a good chance you’ll meet up with people you used to know!

There is a professional DVD/Video of the Festival available after the day, with all profits going to village charities, please phone Margaret on 01903 892633 to order your copy.

Next week, we’ll all be starting to think about next year’s Festival – Saturday 20th August 2011. If you have enjoyed today, and would like to help next year, we would love to hear from you. All help gratefully received! Please ring Margaret on 01903 892633