Broadwindsor goes to the movies for its annual Fun Weekend from 1-3 June.
Three days of events will see West Street closed to traffic on Saturday 2 June from noon until midnight. Diversions will be in place.
Highlights include free drumming workshops from Organic Rhythm, who will be bringing up to 60 djembe drums for people of all ages to try, live music and a Mamma Mia Singalong on the big screen on Friday 1 June.
Margery Hookings, joint secretary of Broadwindsor Jubilee Group, which has been organising an annual Fun Day since the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, said: “We’re very pleased that Organic Rhythm are coming along to join us this year. We’re billing that part of the day as ‘Out of Africa’ – it’ll be wonderful to see and hear people drumming in a closed-off street. Anyone can come along and have a go.
“We’re really grateful, too, to the good people from local construction business P H Hardwill. They’ve yet again come up trumps by providing us with a lorry trailer for our stage. So there’ll be dancing in the street late into the night to Broadwindsor Jammers, Director’s Cut as well as a disco.”
The Fun Day starts with a parade at 2pm from Comrades Hall to The Square in which locals hold aloft shields representing all the village organisations. Last year, they were joined by Broadwindsor’s very own majorette troop, comprising men in tights and tutus. This year, there will be surprise guests befitting the Broadwindsor Goes To The Movies theme.
Scarecrows around the village will reflect the film theme. Even the skittles have been repainted to become Charlie Chaplins. The village tea ladies will also be suitably attired, although their choice of outfits is a closely-guarded secret.
Children’s games will be on a residents’ front lawn and there will be stalls and sideshows in the street, along with the village’s own Punch and Judy – the script for which will be movie-related – and a surprise act on the Hardwill Stage during the afternoon.
Hot dog sausages and burgers will be sizzling on the barbecue from 6pm to 8pm and the White Lion pub in the Square will be open all day.
“It’s always a really fun event,” Margery said. “Locals band together to help put on a great day for the village. The whole idea of it is to bring people together and for residents to have an inexpensive, fun day on their doorstep.
“Raising money is not our primary aim but in the sixteen years Broadwindsor Jubilee Group has been going we must have raised around £20,000 for local causes and organisations.”
The weekend starts with a Mamma Mia Singalong on the big screen at Comrades Hall on Friday 1 June at 7.30pm for Film Club members and guests. It’s free to members and £4 to non-members. Participants are encouraged to wear 70s-style fancy dress or come as a Greek.
Then on Sunday, there will be a service of praise in the village church at 11am.
This year’s Big Breakfast is on Bank Holiday Monday 28 May from 9am until 11.30am at Comrades Hall.
