Festival fever to sweep Hucknall again

Yes, a fresh summer season of sport is upon us. And that can mean only one thing — time for the Ashfield Festival Of Sport.

The 16th festival, which is based in Hucknall and sponsored by the Dispatch, kicks off next Thursday (June 5).

And as usual, it will culminate in a grand gala weekend at Hucknall's Titchfield Park on Saturday June 14 and 15.

The weekend will again feature competitions in a host of sports, including football, tennis, bowls and netball.

And entries are needed now for tourneys in the senior five-a-side football, senior bowls, under-11 and under-15 tennis, senior netball and junior five-a-side football.

To book places, ring Emma Davies, of Festival organiser Ashfield District Council, on 01623 457401 or e-mail her at [email protected]

The gala weekend, which always attracts hundreds of spectators, will also feature demonstrations in other sports, plus lots of family entertainment.

Music will be provided by the Cresswell Colliery Band and among the more unusual sights will be a team of exotic belly-dancers!

The nine-day run-up to the gala finale will feature taster-sessions in a range of sports at venues like Hucknall Leisure Centre, plus community events, all designed to encourage more people, especially youngsters, to participate in sport. Most of the events will be free.

Among the highlights at this year's Festival will be the final of the Nottinghamshire Youth Games's orienteering competition — a first for Ashfield.

As well as the Dispatch, several other Hucknall-based companies are supporting the 2003 Festival.

These include Gilders, hairdressing and tanning centre; the Montessori School (baby unit and nursery); H.D.A. Appliance Centre; Matthew Smith (accountants); Hedley Wright delicatessen; Copperfields hair salon; Beacon Consultants; and Wilkinson.