Weather
Day with the stars will help fight crime
From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Thursday 2nd Sep 2004.
There are just three days to go until pop stars Lemar and the Cheeky Girls wow the crowds at the Crimestoppers Family Fun, at Bowood.
An action-packed schedule of fun and entertainments and a dazzling selection of stars is expected to draw thousands of people to Sunday's event, organised by the crime-fighting charity to raise the profile of its work.
Organisers Malcolm Keene and Sue Fobbester are hard at work in the last few days making final arrangements to ensure the busy day runs smoothly.
"At the end of the day everyone will be a winner at this event," said Mr Keene, chairman of Wiltshire Crimestoppers.
"It will be a great day out for all the family."
The fun kicks off at 10am when the gates open for a programme of events right through until 6pm.
All sorts of stalls and entertainments will be laid on, as well as a main arena and a stage near the lake for the concert.
Children can enjoy bouncy castles, quad bikes, go karts and helicopter rides while adults browse through the craft fair and admire the classic cars.
A variety of catering outlets will provide all sorts of food, from burgers and hot dogs to leisurely cream teas, in the gardens.
A host of musical acts will perform on the main stage, starting with Lee Bennett at 10.30am and continuing throughout the day, culminating in Monroe, Carly Hilman, former EastEnder Michelle Gayle, the chart-topping Cheeky Girls and Fame Academy hero Lemar, who will be the last performer at 5.15pm
And for those who prefer classical music, new ensemble Blue Carpet, from Bristol, will make their debut appearance.
The group is made up of seven students who are either at school or university and consists of Emily O'Mara and Claire Kelly on vocals, Emma Wilkinson on piano, Steven Thomas on keyboard, vocals and percussion, Darren Martyn on vocals, keyboard and saxophone, Verity Stoffell on flute and Richard Laws on drums.
All the members have had previous performance experience in all sorts of musical groups, including classical choirs, orchestras, jazz bands and a gospel choir.
The special compere will be Del Boy lookalike David Byrne, and other lookalikes will be wandering around the showground during the day.
Some 50 volunteer stewards will be helping organise the event and army cadets will supervise the parking.
"On behalf of Wiltshire Crimestoppers I would like to offer my thanks to the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne for their permission to use Bowood," said Mr Keene.
"We are really looking forward to the event and hope that people of all ages will come along on Sunday to join in the fun."
The organisers have received thousands of telephone enquiries about the fun day, from as far afield as Gloucester, Somerset and Hampshire.
To date the weather forecast looks promising and Mr Keene was optimistic plenty of people would turn up to take part in the big day.
Tickets for the family fun day are available on the gate and cost £6 for adults and £3 for children.
Admission includes entry to the fun day, access to Bowood House and garden, and the adventure playground.
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