SPRINGTIME in Bovey Tracey will get really underway this bank holiday weekend.

Tomorrow the town celebrates the start of the new season when the Green Man Festival comes to town.

Co-hosted by Bovey Tracey Town Council and the Grimspound Border Morris dancers, the festival will see main street shut from 7am to 7pm to become a food-lover’s paradise, when more than 40 stalls will be offering a wide range of treats to sample.

There’ll also be plenty to occupy non-foodies, as a host of artists and artisans will be offering crafts and artefacts for sale, with a separate exhibition in the town’s Methodist Church hall.

The festival is celebrating the arrival of spring with music, dance, food and drink and a pagan flavour will come from the ‘foliation of the Green Man in the town centre.

Town council spokesman mayor Tony Allen said: ‘Our town clerk Mark Wells has worked hard with the council team to secure Big Lottery funding. It qualified under the “bringing communities together” scheme, and that’s reflected in the community events: Bovey Primary School children will be singing at 11.15am, Stover School choir and brass band will be performing at 12.30pm and a choir from South Dartmoor School will entertain from 3.15.

‘A dedicated team of people have been busy getting the festival together, and a big thank you especially must go to Hayley Smith for all the work she has put in.

‘As well as the Morris dancing up and down the main street during the day, there will be so many other things happening around the town – a children’s maypole, pony rides, a marbles competition sponsored by the House of Marbles outside the library, where inside there’ll be storytelling sessions for children and adults on the hour from midday.

‘The community choir will be singing two sessions at the Baptist church – 10.30am and 2.15pm and they are inviting everyone to join in for a singalong.

‘This is our first Green Man in Bovey and even though it hasn’t happened yet, people are already making enquiries about the next one!’

The festivities begin at 10am with a grand parade and dance through the town by 11 troupes of Morrismen from as far as Gloucester and Wales, who will be led by the Grimspound group.

After the election of the Green King and Queen, entertainments will continue through the day with performances by local schools and professional bands.

“We’re all set for a great day,’ Tony said. “let’s hope for some good spring weather.’

For the full programme of events go to boveytracey.gov.uk.