THE annual Chipping Sodbury Festival kicked off today with a series of events around town.

Children have been busy learning about space exploration at the Town Hall throughout the morning and afternoon, while pupils from Chipping Sodbury School have been taking part in a Chemistry workshop run by the University of Bristol.

A wine tasting evening and festival team quiz is set to take place at the Town Hall tonight, starting at 7pm and 7.30pm respectively.

Over the next nine days, residents and visitors to Chipping Sodbury will be able to enjoy over 50 different events in total, from workshops throughout the week to an evening with Eddie the Eagle.

The annual extravaganza has an “Americana” theme, and will culminate in a carnival and street fair next Saturday.  

Kate Cox, Chairman of Chipping Sodbury Festival, told the Gazette that the festival has already got off to an amazing start, with many events already sold out.

“We’ve had a great first day,” she said. “Hundreds of children gathered in the town hall to enjoy themselves and we’re looking forward to the next few days."

She added: “We’re really excited about the carnival next Saturday, and want to encourage as many people as possible to come along and support us.

“It should be a really excellent day out, and we’ve had even more floats entered this year into the parade.

“It’s also been confirmed, weather permitting, that there will be a hurricane and a spitfire flying over us at 4pm.”

Kate also said that she would like to remind carnival-goers to walk along Wickwar road on Saturday.

"St John's Church are putting on street entertainers, so make sure you don't just stick to Broad Street."

Are you attending any of the festival events? Email your pictures to rdi@gazetteseries.co.uk for a chance to be featured online and in the paper.

For the full timetable of events, see below:

Friday, June 9

7pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Festival Wine Tasting

7.30pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Festival Team Quiz

Saturday, June 10

9.30am Chipping Sodbury. The Hamptons. Jazz Breakfast with Sinead McCabe

12noon Old Sodbury Football Pitch. Old Sodbury Village Day

1pm Chipping Sodbury. The Beaufort Hunt. Jazz Saturday – John Martin

2pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Tea Dance

4pm. Chipping Sodbury. The Squire Inn. Jazz Saturday – Hot Club Three

7.30pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. The Complete Blues Brothers

Sunday, June 11

9.30am Chipping Sodbury. St John’s Church. Festival Service

10.45pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Festival Reception with a flavour of Americana

2pm Wickwar Road Car Park. Car Treasure Hunt

3pm. Chipping Sodbury. Old Grammar School Rooms. Brass Band and Cream Teas

7.30pm Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church. Voices Together Choir and Phil Hare

Monday, June 12

10.30am Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Rattlesnakes, Tomahawks and Tulip Trees

12noon Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Lunches in the Town Hall

1pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. School Lunchtime Concert – St John’s Mead School

7.30pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Ever Changing Sodbury with Jim Elsworth

7.30pm Chipping Sodbury. The Beaufort Hunt. Pairs Crib Competition

Tuesday, June 13

10.30am. Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Blue Campaign Talk

11am Chipping Sodbury. St John’s Church. Schools Art Exhibition

1pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Old Sodbury School Lunchtime Concert

7.30pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Chipping Sodbury School Concert

7.30pm Chipping Sodbury. Music in Broad Street

Wednesday, June 14

10.30am Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Flower Arranging Demonstration

11am St John's Church. Schools Art Exhibition

1pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. School Lunchtime concert - The Ridge School

2pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Flower Arranding Workshop

7.30pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. An Evening with Eddie The Eagle Edwards

Thursday, June 15

10.30am Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. 'A Passion for Bread'

11am St John's Church. Schools Art Exhibition

1pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Raysfield Junior School Concert

2pm. Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Scrapbooking Workshop

7pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Card Making Workshop

7.30pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Jazz Night with Pete Allen and Friends

Friday, June 16

10.30am Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Bats Talk

11am St John's Church. Schools Art Exhibition

1pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Raysfield Infant School Concert

7.30pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Combined School Concert 'An American Journey'

7.45pm Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church. Illusionist! 

7.45pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'

Saturday, June 17

10am Broad Street. All Day Street Fayre and Carnival

Sunday, June 18

11.30am Chipping Sodbury Clock Tower. Cycle Ride for Adults

12.30am Chipping Sodbury Clock Tower. Family Local Ride

1pm Chipping Sodbury Clock Tower Absolute Beginners Ride 

6.30pm Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church. Festival Songs of Praise