WITH one month to go until the return of the Penhill Carnival, preparations are speeding up and more organisations are getting involved.

The chairman of the organising committee, Dave Ibitoye, is still keen for more groups and charities to come forward as the final weeks begin to tick down.

The carnival will not return in its traditional guise this year.

On September 6, it will be more of a warm-up event to gauge public support before a full return in 2015.

Dave said: “What we have done so far is get all the contributing groups together and tried to figure out an approach to the day.

“We are renting out stalls for every organisation that wants one, so on the day they will each have the platform to promote themselves for the real thing in 2015.

“Bands are going to be playing and we hope music will be a big draw for people this year.

“We are still encouraging more people to join in. We want to get as many groups and charities from across Swindon to come up and have a presence on the day.”

Among the entertainment groups already confirmed are The Street Elite Dance Company and rock band Dirte .

Clivey And Twist, the John Moulton hall charity which helps disadvantaged and vulnerable children in Penhill, the Penhill Orchard Group, business start-up experts Outset and the timebank in Penhill are all also confirmed.

The People’s Assembly and Penhill Community Association will also have some presence at the event.

The Penhill Hub Cafe is set to provide catering for visitors, and an ice cream van has also been arranged.

A bouncy castle may well also be situated on site for children, but more adult entertainment in the way of performers and musicians are still wanted by organisers.

The event was cancelled in July last year when Eddie Hawkins, one of the final two remaining committee members, stood down.

It had been due to run on August 24 but, with too few volunteers offering to help, it was no longer viable.