A CROWDFUNDING campaign to help cover costs of holding a children's fete, similar to those staged by the GWR, has been launched in a bid to repeat the success of the 150th anniversary event in 2016, which coincided with the 175th Anniversary of ‘New Swindon’,

Last year more than 8,000 Swindonians visited the GWR Park on Faringdon Road for the event.

Arts, crafts, sports and circus activities and entertainment from Artsite and Falding’s Fandangos filled the field during the day and a special performance by Swindon Dance and Prime Theatre, which told the story of the first 25 years of Swindon as a railway town running right up to the very first fete, took the event into the evening, which was filled by music from local live bands organised by Swindon Shuffle.

“We received so much good feedback from the event last year with many requests to make this an annual event once again” said Hannah Parry, one of the event’s organisers.

“One of the most touching comments was from a little boy who said to his mum, as reported by the Swindon Advertiser, that it was the best day of his life. "That really made us more determined than ever to keep this event going for today’s and future generations of children and young people to benefit from.”

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, July 8, from noon to 8pm in the GWR Park.

The trust has enough funds to cover just the core elements of the event and so is raising funds to cover costs of hiring the traditional style carousel, which, making an appearance at the modern event for the first time, was a big hit last year.

“These rides cost several thousand pounds to hire in just for a day so without covering the some of the costs in advance it’s a big risk to take,” said Tom Falding, who is leading on organising this year’s event.

"They really add to the event experience and helps to recreate the original fete of Victorian times. There aren’t many events where you can experience these rides in today, so we want to make sure local children can get to enjoy them.”

In return for pledges the trust is offering tickets to ride the carousel which can be collected from their stall on the day, or can be donated to children visitors of The Harbour Project or other charities for those who can’t attend.

To find out more and donate to the crowdfund page visit - www.fundsurfer.com/project/the-2017-childrens-fete

For more information on the event you can follow the Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/events/422670698132028

If you are interested in being involved in the event, as a performer, stallholder or as an event steward, email thechildrensfete@mechanics-trust.org.uk

The organisers are also seeking sponsorship for the event from local businesses and are able to offer free advertising space in the event programme and on its publicity.

For more information, email sponsorship@mechanics-trust.org.uk