A festival for the people and by the people is the motto of the Town gardens Little Big Festival.

The idea came from an idea originally tried out in New York’s Bryant Park where a number of small events came together under one umbrella into one big festival.

Keith Defter brought the idea to Swindon and Josie Williams, Commonweal School’s Community Arts Development Officer, took up the challenge of instigating the Little Big Festival.

Following on the success of las year’s extravaganza Josie has enlisted an army of volunteers from the worlds of art, music and drama to co-ordinate the various events beginning on Sunday April 27 in the Town Gardens in Old Town at 11am.

Josie said: “I am a gardener of people! I plant the seeds and watch as they grow and blossom. I am a firm believer that ability follows enthusiasm, a strapline that I have brought to the school and the wider community. It is all about empowering people and giving them the opportunity to grow and develop.’’ This year the launch day will kick off with performances from the Commonweal Music Department’s singers and guitarists, a sword fighting display, Zumba dance and Slack line walking. Local artists and crafts people will have their work on show and for salewhile the Old Town Cafe at the bandstand will provide sweets, snacks, a festival birthday cake and tea and coffees.

Carol Watts runs the park cafe and organises the bandstand entertainment every Sunday afternoon during the summer months. She said: “It is lovely to see so many people coming into the park an enjoying this beautiful Victorian legacy. There is a real sense of community in Old Town.’’ The birthday celebrations will be attended by Ken White, Swindon’s mural artist who enjoyed the patronage of Richard Branson for many years and is wll known for his pictures of “inside’’ the Great Western Railway works, Keith Defter who came up with the idea for Swindon and the town’s MP for South Swindon Robert Buckland. - Flicky Harrison