With less than one month to go, plans are well in hand to make Farnham Carnival 2018 one of the most colourful and noisy yet!

With the theme of ‘Rock and Pop Legends’, the organisers have some exciting entrants lined up to make the procession around the town a lively and boisterous affair.

“Yet there is still room for more to come and join the fun,” says carnival chairman Colin Jordan.

“So if you are a local school, community group or business looking to raise your profile in Farnham, what better way to promote who you are and what you do than be a part of carnival 2018. And with thousands thronging the streets on June 30, you can be certain of a large and enthusiastic audience!”

Carnival opens at 2pm with the Gostrey Meadow fayre, with local bands playing a wide range of music on stage throughout the afternoon and evening.

As well as the usual wide range of stalls and sideshows and, this year, a craft marquee, there will be an array of food outlets on offer. A beer tent, including Prosecco and gin bars and other drinks, will also be fully primed to make sure people’s thirsts are well and truly quenched.

A children’s corner providing games and entertainments such as funfair attractions and a Punch & Judy show will make sure the younger generation are fully involved. And, to top it off, a fairground organ in South Street and a roving ‘bubbleologist’ will add to the fun of the day.

Later in the afternoon, procession entrants will gather in the Upper Hart, all hoping to be ‘best in class’, will first be judged on the basis of their creativity, relevance and innovation.

At 6pm, the procession will then wind its way along West Street and The Borough, around the Woolmead, then down South Street, along Union Road and up Downing Street, before returning to The Hart via West Street.

All the money collected from the procession is returned to the schools, youth groups and charities taking part. So don’t forget to bring your spare change to throw into the buckets as the imaginative displays pass you by - and please give generously!

Copies of the full programme of events can be picked up in advance from the town council office, Farnham Library, Farnham Museum and the Farnham Herald office and will be available in the town on carnival day itself.

Farnham Carnival (www.farnhamcarnival.org.uk) is organised by a committee made up mainly of members from The Hedgehogs (www.the-hedgeogs.org.co.uk) and Farnham Lions Club (www.farnhamlions.org.uk).

These two service clubs undertake this event to say ‘thank you’ to Farnham for all the help received throughout the year. As a result, they are able to provide much-needed assistance to local charities and individuals in need.

Farnham Carnival also would not happen without the invaluable support of Farnham Town Council and Surrey County Council, as well as the Farnham Chamber of Commerce, Farnham Institute Charity, Weyfest and local businesses.

Once again, Vale Furnishers are principal sponsors of the carnival procession, with Bridges Estate Agents principal sponsors of the Gostrey fayre.

Grahams Jewellers, LMC of Farnham and Veolia are new sponsors for 2018, joining other established supporters including Allways Glazing Works Ltd, BBS Ltd, BakerLaw Solicitors, Frensham Pond Country House & Spa, Elphicks, Farnham Estates Ltd, Farnham Herald, The Wheatsheaf, Squires Garden Centres, TAG Farnborough Airport, and Wise & Co Accountants.

And an especially big ‘thank you’ to 229 (Farnham) Squadron Air Training Corps and to everyone else who support carnival in so many different ways. “Thousands of residents and visitors alike together with friends and families always enjoy carnival day,” says Mr Jordan.

“So whether you are a fan of pop, heavy metal or rock ‘n’ roll, in the words of Slade, ‘Cum on Feel the Noize’ at Carnival 2018!”