BrixFest announce Marine Conservation theme to Children's Day 2017

Children's day at BrixFest is gearing up to be the best yet. Organisers have arranged for the return of popular events such as the craft tent, Melody the Mermaid Trail, Build a Boat and the stilt walkers. Also back for the day which is on Whitsun Bank Holiday Monday, May 29, will be face painting, Captain Blackheart and an energetic game organised by Splashdown Quaywest.

The crabbing competition will be held during two days, on Sunday, May 28, and Monday, May 29. Committee member Linda Village said: "We've created a new character, Squirtle the Turtle, who along with many other sea creatures we'll be drawing and creating using paper plates and tactile materials in the craft tent. For the first time, our famous local police dogs Charlie the spaniel and Axel the German shepherd will also be making an appearance. There will be quirky hands-on marine science experiments led by Dr Juliette Jackson of Devon-based community interest company Sea-dream and as part of the Engineering Here, There and Everywhere project funded by the Institute of Engineering."

Dr Jackson said "We'll be exploring the engineers of the sea to learn, among other things, how to be as speedy as a shark, propel like a quid and the communicate in the dark."

This year's BrixFest, which runs from Saturday May 27 to Wednesday May 31, has a heritage theme. It is also undertaking a year-long project to record local people's memories of the town including the events and its traditional industries, and turning them into a social history archive.

Organisers are appealing to residents and past residents who have a story to tell about themselves or their families, whether it is about wartime, fishing, the lifeboat, shipbuilding, rope or sail making or anything that brings Brixham's history to life.

Anyone interested can contact BrixFest on 01803 858488 or email contact@brixfest.com