BEER fans taking part in this weekend’s Stratton Stroll will hear from a troupe of buskers who will play six gigs in seven hours.

Shaun Buswell, a local celebrity who brought together an orchestra of strangers from the London Underground, will be performing the opening slot at every pub on the Stratton Stroll, which starts at the Kingsdown Arms at noon and finishes at the Rat Trap at 11pm, in an attempt to break a Swindon record.

Shaun said: “I grew up and went to school in Stratton so the area and the community is very important to me; it holds a special place in my heart.

“I was asked by Stratton Parish Council to get involved with the Stratton Stroll and I’m thrilled to be part of it and have the opportunity to give something back to the community I care about.”

Strollers – who will also have a chance to drink Arkell’s specially-brewed Stratton Festival ale – will visit the Kingsdown Arms, The Crown, The New Inn, The Grange at the Stratton Leisure Centre, the Wheatsheaf, the Baker’s Arms and the Rat Trap as part of the Stroll on Saturday.

Live acts will include 14-year-old Charlie-Anne Bradfield, parody covers band Kova Me Badd, folk group Missin’ Rosie, The Bateleurs, Blue Trees, Jimmy Moore, Barney Goodall and Gina Young & James Harris, among many others.

The acts and music will be supported by well known local promoters, including Holmes Music, Riffs Bar, Keen Music, Teenage Kicks/Gig Monkey, Sheer Music and SoP.

During the day strollers can also make the most of a bouncy castle at the Kingsdown Arms, enjoy a meal for two for £6 from 2pm to 5pm at The Crown, and an afternoon of fun from 2pm to 5pm at The Baker’s Arms, with vintage cars, face painting, bric-a-brac, nail technicians, stalls, a cake sale and more, finishing with live music from 8.30pm from Darwins Wish.

Georgina Morgan-Denn, events and planning officer for Stratton St Margaret Parish Council, said: “The Stratton Stroll is part of the Stratton Festival programme of events taking place across the parish this July.

“The stroll is aiming to bring communities together and to celebrate all that’s great in Stratton.

“We want to encourage people across Swindon and beyond to visit the fabulous venues Stratton has to offer.

“Join our Stratton Stroll around the parish to experience great music, great beer and a great time”.

The Stratton Stroll is part of the Stratton Festival, organised by Stratton St Margaret Parish Council, which kicked off on Saturday with the Upper Stratton Baptist Church’s second Community Festival.

The main event for the Stratton festival will take place on July 20 from 11am at the Stratton Leisure Centre, in Grange Drive.

Attractions will include a beer and cider festival, a vintage vehicle rally, a fun fair and an animal zone.

There will also be displays in the main arena throughout the day, including performances from the Kirsty Farrow Dance School, a display from Esprit Gymnastics, a martial arts display and a dog show.

There will be fun and entertainment for all the family, with stalls, a bouncy castle and a bonsai display from the Swindon and District Bonsai Society.

There will also be a food fair, featuring more than 30 craft and food stalls, live demonstrations throughout the day and an appearance from TV chef Peter Vaughan. The day will finish with a barn dance from 7.30pm to 11pm.

Entry to the festival is free and tickets for the barn dance – £10 for adults and £5 for under-15s – are available from Holmes Music and Stratton Leisure Centre.

l For more information and to find out about other events visit www.stratton stmargaret.gov.uk/Events.aspx.