With just over a week to go until Trowbridge Arts Festival opens with live shows, a teenage market and the town’s carnival.

The excitement is mounting: this weekend entrants in the Photo Marathon began taking pictures around the town, ready to put them on display in Festival Fortnight, which runs from October 17-November 2.

As well as offering people the chance to take part, the festival brings some top performers to the town: Poetry Joe, known to youngsters from his CBeebies appearances, visits on October 24, with two shows at the town hall, dancers from the Karla Shacklock company perform The Butterfly and The Crutch, modern dance pieces which will touch the soul, on October 30 and you can look back to the 80s nightclub scene with Reform Theatre Co’s revival of John Godber’s comedy Bouncers on October 20.

Local actors from Trowbridge Players and TAOS Musical Theatre have timed their production of Oh What a Lovely War at the Arc theatre to tie in with the festival.

The town hall is home to a week of events, All Under One Roof, running from October 17 and featuring an art exhibition, the unveiling of a reinterpretation of a portrait of the Baron of Trowbridge, Francis Sey-mour; an evening of video films made by locals; a tea dance for the older generation and a 50s jive night for young and old; a children’s day on October 24, including The Big Draw and a finale performance day on Saturday, October 25.

Festival organisers welcomed new members to the volunteers team on Monday night, but would still like to hear from anyone who wants to join them in the carnival procession and/or help with the Fore Street launch event on October 18.during that day.

If anyone is able to help please get in touch. To find out more email trowartsdirector@ gmail.com or call or 01225 774306.

To see the latest news, and book tickets, go to www.trowbridgeartsfestival. co.uk