Pulling in the crowds

Thousands of visitors are expected in Southwell this weekend to attend the Gate To Southwell Folk Festival.

It launches a series of summer events in the town that are expected to pull in more than 20,000 visitors.

There are also events in Southwell Minster, The Workhouse and the town centre.

The events and tourism co-ordinator, Mrs Honor Dunkley, hoped large numbers of visitors would help retailers.

She said: “We want to attract visitors so they come and see our lovely town and visit the shops, restaurants and pubs.

“By promoting some of those events, which take place in Southwell more than once a year, we hope we can give a snapshot of what is going on in the town.”

Southwell Town Council and Southwell Tourism Partnership are promoting two weeks of events, starting today.

There will be a continental market in King Street, dancing in the Market Square and a Festival Race Day at Southwell Racecourse on Sunday.

A three-day show at the British Horological Institute, Upton, starts a week today.

Also planned are workshops at The Workhouse, Southwell.

Southwell Minster will host events including Music in the Great Hall on Sunday, June 14 and Lunchtime at the Cathedral sessions every Friday.

The Sixteen perform as part of their 2009 Choral Pilgrimage tour on June 19 and a concert by The Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra, is the following night.

The two-week promotion ends on Sunday, June 21 with a Midsummer Family Funday at the Burgage.

But there are plenty of other events taking place throughout the town for the rest of summer.

A three-day beer festival will be held from Friday, July 3, and a week-long poetry festival is planned for Southwell Library from July 11-18.

In August the band and drums of the Royal Anglian Regiment will perform beating the retreat and a sunset ceremony at the War Memorial Recreation Ground.

An exhibition of sculptures will be held at the swan sanctuary at Reg Taylor’s Garden Centre during August.

The town council chairman, Mr Andy Gregory, said: “Anything we can do to encourage people into the town is a good thing. However, these events are not just to bring people in, they are for the town as well.”

A full list of events is available at www.southwellevents. com and leaflets are available at the library and tourist information centre.