On Sunday 11 May 2008 the 33rd Annual Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival will be held in the garden of St Paul's Church, Bedford Street, London,WC2 - the actors' church - near the spot where Samuel Pepys first saw Mr Punch in England in May 1662.

Punch and Judy Professors and Puppeteers from all over the country will be coming to perform throughout the day. ADMISSION IS FREE and the programme is as follows:-

10.30am:- GRAND PROCESSION around the neighbourhood of Covent Garden starting at the church garden gate, led by the Superior Brass Band with a toast to Mr Punch by the commemorative plaque on the church wall in the Piazza.

11.30am to 5.30pm:- PUNCH AND JUDY & PUPPET SHOWS, Puppet Workshops, Stalls, Folk Music by The Lost Marbles String Band and Maypole Dancing, Clowns and Jugglers. The British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild, The College of Punch and Judy Professors, The Puppet Centre Trust, The Union Internationale de la Marionette, and The Punch and Judy Fellowship will all be represented.

There will be stalls run by community groups from all over Westminster and Camden together with the Covent Garden Community Association, and refreshments will be provided by The Food Chain.

For further information contact the May Fayre Committee:

Email: info@alternativearts.co.uk

Website: www.alternativearts.co.uk

Tel: 020 7375 0441

Address: Alternative Arts, Top Studio, Montefiore Centre, Hanbury St. E1 5HZ