THERE is just under a month to go until the historic 750th Winkleigh Fair, with a week of fun and games planned for the event.

Festivities kick off on Saturday July 7 with the church fete in the community centre during the afternoon, and a quiz night in the village hall that evening. Tickets cost £6 to include a ploughman's dinner and half-pint of cider, with a bar for further drinks running all evening.

The opening ceremony is on Sunday July 8 in the square with the dressing of the well, opening ceremony, church service, crowning of the king and queen, balloon release and cream teas followed by rounders on the sports field.

The ceremony is to be attended by the Bishop of Plymouth.

During the cream teas, a community banner commemorating the 750th year of the fair will be unveiled in the community centre.

On Monday July 9 the Methodist Chapel is putting on a concert in the village hall, while the following day Winkleigh Parish Church will hold a flower festival.

On Thursday July 12 the produce and culture show in the marquee will take place with a medieval theme. There will be the dog show, a charity ceilidh and barbecue and bar.

On Friday July 13 the archivist of Powderham Castle will give a talk on 750 years of Devon history in the marquee. Entry costs £3.50. That evening will be devoted to 'Winkleigh's Got Talent', where villagers can show off their talents for a chance to win £100.

Saturday July 14 sees the farmers' and craft market in the morning followed by an afternoon of fun. Events running in the field include the hay bale tossing contest, welly wanging competition, tug-of-war, and children's workshops. The theme for this year's fancy dress competition is medieval.

Anderton and Rowlands fun fair will be in the field on Thursday and Friday evenings and all day Saturday.

Programmes for the fair events, which fully detail the planned activities with timings, are available from Winkleigh Post Office, Wright and Proper, and D&S.