A VILLAGE will come together to celebrate its rural heritage with a traditional country fair.

Bell Meadow Day will take place in Woodham Walter next Sunday, August 26.

Now in its 14th year, the fair held in Church Hill has become a popular event in the Essex summer diary.

The event is organised by the Bell Meadow Village Association.

The day kicks off at 12.30pm will entertainment all day.

There will be a competition tent where villagers will do battle in cookery, floral art and photography among other categories.

The judging for the competitions will be happening between 11am and 1pm.

To keep little ones entertained there is a pets corner, pony rides, children’s entertainment and a bouncy castle.

There will be live music with bands performing throughout the day.

Artists include Frank Ryan and a rare evening performance from choir Funky Voices and funk band For Funks Sake on the main stage.

The evening concert will be from 6pm to 9pm.

For Funk Sake are a live ten piece band formed in 1997 by Andy Grant and Lou Perryman as a specialist 70s disco band.

They will be performing their own show called The History Of Dance Music which spans five decades of the greatest dance floor fillers in two hours.

A spokesman for the village association said: “The organising committee are a group of villagers passionate about our rural heritage who pool talents to create a great event and we are delighted to be organising a similar event again this year.

“We are again being joined by local craftsmen who will demonstrate their skills, plus a Gun Dog display.

“We are supported by local businesses and groups and hope to be blessed with some wonderful weather to make an amazing afternoon.

“We believe that last year’s event was the best ever, and we hope for an even better day this year.”

Tickets are £5 for adults and children under 14 go free.