THE exciting sound of big band jazz returns to the riverside setting of Harford Bridge Holiday Park on Saturday, July 10.

This follows last year?s highly successful ?Jazz at the Bridge? which was organised by the Friends of St Luke?s Hospice.

This year they have asked the Lions Club of Tavistock to take over the event as part of Carnival Week.

The Lions accepted and agreed that part of the night?s proceeds would be given to the hospice funds as well as other local charities.

This is the first music event of a packed Carnival Week organised by the Lions Club, which culminates the following Saturday with the main carnival procession .

The gates of Harford Bridge, located on the A386 two miles north east of Tavistock, will open at 6pm for the jazz concert. This will give the audience time to relax and picnic before the opening half hour set from the popular Martin Dale Quartet begins at 7pm.

Martin is one of the most popular saxophonists in the South West.

Next on stage with their first one-hour set will be the Carlton Big Band ? invited back following last year?s success. Elaine Davis has once again put together a band worthy of their billing as the ?Cream of Westcountry Jazz Musicians? with a repertoire including favourites from the likes of Ellington, Basie and Glen Miller.

There will be further sets from the quartet and the band at 8.30pm and 9.30pm respectively.

Tickets are £10 on the night or can be purchased in advance from the St Luke?s hospice shops in Duke Street and Brook Street, Tavistock. Students are £4 with under 10s and car parking free. A licensed bar and a barbecue will be provided on site.

Lion Paul Congo, leader of the organising committee for the event, said that he was ?delighted with the support that the club had received from the local business community?.

He was particularly grateful to the event sponsors Fairway Furniture, Francis Clark, Crebers, Sleep and Co., Salisbury Henderson, JAG Telecommunications and Potter Baker.

The following Saturday?s carnival procession commences at 6.30pm.

This year?s theme is Pastimes and Leisure Activities. Anyone wishing to enter a float should contact Lion Roger Lethbridge c/o the Union Inn, Tavistock where the club holds its regular monthly meetings.