New Road Guest House

Freedom of Chippenham Parade

19th January 2012  - Chippenham Town Centre

The 9th Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps based at Hullavington Barracks will be given the formal honour of the Freedom of Chippenham at an official ceremony on 19th January 2012.  There will be a medal parade at 11am, followed by the formal awarding of the freedom to the Corps by the Town Council and the 'March Through' at noon.

Badminton Horse Trials

3rd - 7th May 2012 - Badminton

Badminton is the oldest and generally accepted as the most prestigious and toughest of the 3-Day-Events.  Horses and riders complete 3 different disciplines; Dressage demonstrating obedience, discipline, accuracy and elegance; the 4 mile Cross Country course and the Show Jumping designed to test their agility and accuracy at speed.

The Olympic Torch will be making its way through Chippenham on May 23rd as part of its route across the UK. The Olympic Torch Relay will be a 70-day celebration, starting in the UK on 18 May, travelling thousands of miles and bringing the London 2012 Games to many communities.

20th Chippenham Beer and Cider Festival

May 2012 - Olympiad Leisure Centre

The first Chippenham Beer Festival was held in the Neeld Hall in 1992 where there was too much beer and too few visitors . The next year it was too many customers and not enough beer.  By 1994, the venue had moved to the Olympiad Leisure Centre where it has been ever since and the balance of beer to people was just about perfect.

The festival will be in the main sports hall which is superb, especially for sunny Saturday afternoon sessions.  Tickets from �4 per session which includes a free glass.

Chippenham Folk Festival

01st - 04th June 2012

As well as Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the June Bank Holiday weekend will see the 41st Chippenham Folk Festival.  Friendly, superb town setting with a great line-up, it is one of the best long weekend events in the UK.  Four days of the best in folk song, music, dance and traditions in the heart of Wiltshire.  Over 200 events take place turning the whole town into a giant party. 

The main ceilidh and concert events take place alongside the river, while practically every pub and venue in the town is used for a vast range of sessions, workshops and smaller concerts and dances.  There is also a full program of children's events, a large craft marquee, catering facilities and an open air arena in the park.  A huge street fair also takes place on the Monday.

Bath Fringe

May - June 2012

The origins of Bath Fringe go back to the sideshows which sprang up around important Temple festivals before and during the Roman Occupation, to the street fairs that surrounded the Abbey for the coronation of Edgar in 959.  In recent times there were the Bath Festivals of Blues & Progressive Music of '69 & '70, and the Walcot Festivals of the '70s & 'early 80s. 

Over the years the Fringe has investigated and developed artforms events and audiences that have in many cases become mainstream. 'Affordable Art', Spoken Word, Digital Arts & Media, Standup Comedy, Cabaret, Physical Theatre, Circus Arts, Folk & World Music, Latin Dance, Jazz, and the serious presentation of major figures from Pop, Rock and Black Music have all been Fringe centrepieces.  This year as ever there will be multiple events and locations.  Attendance 16,000. 

The Cotswold Air Show

June 2012 @ 4.45am - Stonehenge

WOMAD

July 2012 - Malmesbury

The quintessential world music festival ...workshops, processions and the stalls of the Global Village. A DJ with his own barbershop quartet and 6 piece band from Ireland to a rebellious band of Chinese throat singers, WOMAD brings artists from all over the world to a location known for its rolling hills, green trees and rural beauty. Discovery is the key, and musical revelations causing spine tingling sensations are rife. "With hundreds of artists from everywhere in the world, everyone's WOMAD will be different, The Evening Standard, 2010.

Dragon Boat Race Day

July 2012 on the River Avon in Chippenham 

Dragon Boat racing is an ancient Chinese tradition over 2000 years old and is one of Britain's most competitive water sports. It's spectacular, colourful, exciting and fun!  This will be the fourth Dragon Boat Race event held by  the Rotary Club of Chippenham.

West Wilts Show

July 2012 - Trowbridge Park

The biggest free admission event of its kind in the local area, with up to 100,000 visitors attending over the three days.   Based in the heart of Trowbridge, Wiltshire's county town, the Show is a family-orientated event attracting thousands.

Over 100 balloons.  Night-glow Thursday & Saturday at about 21:30, huge market and continuous arena events on the beautiful 900 acre estate.  Mass balloon launches 06:00 & 18:00 subject to weather. 

Chippenham Half Marathon

Sunday 09 September 2012

Voted 5th in the Runners World Top 20 Half Marathons of 2010 and 5th in the Ultimate Race Guide Top 10 Half Marathons for 2011!!

The race will be run over a fast and accurately measured and predominantly flat course starting and finishing at Chippenham Sports Club. The route will go through the centre of Chippenham and then follow scenic country lanes visiting local villages and hamlets including Tytherton Lucas, Langley Burrell, Avon and East Tytherton.

This is an ideal event for first timers or experienced long distance runners looking to achieve a personal best.