THE second Toothill festival is set to be bigger, louder and better this year as the community gears up for the event later this month.

The festival, held on Saturday 30 June from 11am to 4pm at Toothill Primary School, Toothill Community Centre and Church, has been months in the planning and is supported by lottery group Toothill Big Local in conjunction with Toothill Primary School, who are hosting their annual fete.

Last year saw hundreds turn out in the sunshine for the day and the turnout is hoped to be even bigger this time.

One of this year’s highlights is set to be a workshop from percussion group Stomp, while a host of live bands will be performing including Stevie G, Whisper and Pegasus.

Dance shows will come from Hotsteppers, Romanska and a street dance troupe and there will also be a guitar workshop.

Local ice hockey team the Swindon Wildcats will give a display and youngsters can enjoy a game of tennis or try golf with Swindon PGA professional Lee Hayward, who is based at Broome Manor Golf Club.

Other attractions will include a performance of the Toothill Long Poem, drama and the school choir and the recently-formed Community Choir, as well more than 30 stalls featuring arts and crafts and local community groups.

Budding photographers can enter the photo competition and winners will have their work displayed in the Link magazine.

In addition to the fun, local residents will again be consulted about the priorities on the £1 million Toothill has been awarded over the next 10 years from the National Lottery’s Big Local programme.

A free burger, cream tea and face painting will be available to participants.

Organiser Ruth Kiddle said: “This is a great chance for the people of Toothill to get together to have a fun day. The events have been planned to include all ages and showcase Toothill.”

To book a place on the Stomp workshop contact Ruth Smith on nealandruth@yahoo.co.uk or 07798 936618.

For more infotmation about the festival and the £1m grant visit www.mytoothill.-org.uk of Toothill Million on Facebook.