Bishop's Waltham's 12th annual carnival and fete, organised by the town's Rotary Club, will take place on Saturday, June 7th.

The major share from this year's fund-raising will go towards skateboard facilities for the town and, to mark the connection, the carnival theme is "Wheels".

The procession will start from Rareridge Lane at about 1pm, making its way to the palace ruins through the town centre and it will be led by the mayor of Winchester, Jean Hammerton, and the West End Showband.

The fete, in the palace grounds, opens at 2pm, with all the fun of the fair, including games, arena entertainment, refreshments and stalls run by Rotarians, clubs and groups.

The carnival is not the start of the fun, however. Festivities begin on Saturday, May 31st, with the window-dressing competition - a close-fought contest each year as the town centre business premises pull out the stops to reflect the carnival theme.

To complete the festivities, the carnival fun run and road race takes place on Sunday, June 15th. Entry forms are in the carnival programme, circulated free to homes in the area.

Both the five-mile road race, and the two-mile fun run, will start from Bishop's Waltham fire station in Lower Lane at about 11am and finish at the same spot.

Runners are encouraged to raise sponsorship, which can either be dedicated to their own organisation or pooled with the carnival proceeds in the Rotary Club charity fund.

Entries for the carnival may be made by calling Jacqui or Mike Tredre on 01489-893392.

Stalls at the fete may be booked by ringing Dave Plumb on 01489-860432.