Following months of talks between the Midsomer Norton Town Council, the Carnival Association and local community groups, it has been announced that the Community Festival (Mardi Gras) and Fayre Day are to merge to create a single event.

Taking place on Saturday, 12th July 2014 between 12 noon and 6 p.m., the new event will be called Midsomer Norton Fayre Day, with the strap line, 'A Community Festival'. In this way, it will draw together the heritage of the over-700-year-old Royal Charter of 1242 from Henry III with the Community Festival/Mardi Gras event of recent years.

It will be held at Gullock Tyning in order to have enough space to spread out and also to use the facilities of the Skate and Adventure Play Park. It is hoped that once the Town Park is eventually opened, the event can expand and develop further into the planned 'Celebration Meadow'. Discussions are in hand to put a massive marquee up in the fenced court area in July. This location will also leave the High Street open for business as usual, which has been welcomed by members of the Chamber of Commerce.

"The overall aim of the new event will be to bring together the whole community for a town festival – much as it would have been when the original medieval fayre took place in the thirteenth century. However, rather than dressing up in medieval costumes or bringing in a modern fun fair, it has been decided to draw together community groups to create an event that will appeal to people of all ages from not just the town, but the whole Somer Valley," said Alex Davis of the Community Trust.

So far, discussions are in hand to have a Skate Board Jam, Maypole Dancing Festival, Play Park activities, Art Exhibition, Duck Race, stalls for as many community groups as possible and a 'Town Show Marquee', to showcase the creative talent of the town with a Midsomer Norton 'Bake Off' and competition classes for anything and everything!

Midsomer Norton Town Council is providing core funding and the Community Trust has agreed to coordinate the event overall, working closely with key partners such as the Carnival Association, for specialist elements such as road closures and marshalling on the day.

Further announcements will be made as more groups join the line-up – for details, contact Alex Davis on: 01761 419133 or email: [email protected]">[email protected]