Planning is under way for this year's two-week Bungay Summer Festival.

Representatives of organisations planning to hold events during the festival – which will run from July 8 to July 23 - held a meeting in the town where the first dates were pencilled in, with more to follow in due course.

The Bungay Events and Business Association is again spearheading the festival, with Simon Thompson elected festival president and Didy Ward secretary-treasurer. She reported that there is nearly £600 in funds from last year's event to provide a start balance for this year, but more donations from local businesses and organisations would be needed to finance the festival, which is now in its 29th year.

Bungay bookprinters Clays has again agreed to print the festival programme – which will also feature other Bungay events between June and September.

The opening ceremony will be held at Bungay Castle at noon on July 8.

Other events pencilled in so far are a flower festival at St Mary's Church from July 7 to 9, a Kid's Fun Day at Castle Meadow on July 8, the Great Bungay Duck Race on July 9, author Ellie Griffiths speaking at the Bungay Good Read Group on July 10, a Festival Quiz at St Edmund's Church on July 12, Bungay Society soiree at St Mary's Churchyard on July 13, a Teddy Bears' Picnic at Castle Hills on July 15, a concert by the Mozart Orchestra at St Mary's Church, tower tours on July 16 and Circle '67 performing Shakespeare at the Castle on July 19.

Organisations have until April 1 to be included in the festival programme, and those planning events are asked to attend to the next festival meeting on March 1 at the Bowerbank Room in St Mary's Church.

Last year's festival was hailed a huge success, with crowds turning out for the popular river duck race, thousands of pounds raised at the Bungay Reeve's Ball, and A Midsummer Night's Dream being performed at the castle despite the rain in good old British spirit.

Forms for event details are available from Didy Ward by emailing didyw@aol.com.