THERE is just over a week to go until the beginning of Tavistock Carnival and the Lions Club, which organises the event on behalf of the town, is confident that this year's programme has something for all ages and all musical tastes.

New for this year is the summer sounds concert in the town hall on Saturday, July 14, which has been arranged on behalf of the Lions by local music promoter Jude Rotton.

It will feature his own rock group Orangutan Wheelbarrow, the jazz band from Tavistock College and acoustic music from Skalets, 3'S A Crowd and the Two Jays Acoustic Duo.

The concert starts at 7.30pm and will cost £5 to enter. Tickets are available from Book Stop and the Music Room, the Times offices in Brook Street, Orangutan Wheelbarrow's Facebook page or on the door on the night.

The jazz band will make a further appearance during the concert in the church on the following Wednesday when they will be joined by the college gospel choir as well as the ever popular Stannary Brass Band.

Also new for this year will be a 'dog walker's barbecue' near the Pimple starting at 5.30pm on the Tuesday and a trader's skittles match at the Tavy Club on the Friday.

Many of the usual favourites are also included in the week's programme including the baby show on the first Saturday, the folk night at the Tavy Club on the Monday], the town relay races on the Thursday evening organised by Tavistock Athletic Club and a music night at the Union on the Friday featuring a local rock band.

One of the most popular events of carnival week is the fun day in the Meadows on the first Sunday, sponsored by Crebers, and which this year has been much expanded because of the forthcoming Olympic Games. OCRA (Okehampton Community Recreation Association) is organising 'Launch into the Olympics' which will include a variety of sports for everyone to have a go at including Kwik Cricket, a penalty shoot out, tag rugby, tug of war and rush hockey. More details can be found at http://www.ocrasport.org.uk">www.ocrasport.org.uk.

CHICKS will be organising their big bear olympics as well as the Tavy and Tamar Gig Club with their racing gig and a Concept 2 rowing challenge competition and members of Tavistock Golf Club with a golf skills game.

There will also be a dog show with agility and flyball demonstrations, a licensed bar and tea tent, music from Blowzone and during the afternoon, Emily Hill with her attendants Lily Walke and Isabelle Kingsland, will be crowned this year's carnival princess. The event starts at noon.

Carnival Day is on July 21 featuring a fair in Bedford Square and the last opportunity to buy tickets in this year's draw which has some fantastic prizes sponsored by Salisbury Henderson and supplied by Dartmoor Photographic, Tavistock Picture Framing Company and Crebers.

The grand procession will start from Down Road at 6.30pm.

Great Britain is this year's theme so there should be lots of red, white and blue on the floats and spectators are encouraged to bring along their own Union flags to wave as well as plenty of money for the collecting buckets all of which goes back into the community to local charities and other good causes.

Full details of the week's events can be found at http://www.tavistocklions.org.uk">www.tavistocklions.org.uk or in Mardi Gras, the Carnival magazine that is being delivered around the town or by calling 0845 8334807.

Lions president Alan Wroath issued thanks to the event sponsors, the advertisers and the people of Tavistock and surrounding area for their continued support of the club.