VILLAGERS in Horndon-on-the-Hill are busy preparing for the annual Feast and Fayre.

This year, the theme of the event will be Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, in recognition of long-term Horndon resident Godwin Swift, a descendant of the renowned Anglo-Irish writer. It will be staged over the weekend of June 24 and 25.

Retired solicitor Godwin and his wife Hazel have lived in Horndon for more than 40 years and ran a successful legal practice in Stanford-le-Hope for the same number of years.

They have a library of books and artefacts chronicling the life and works of Jonathan Swift, who was most famous for writing Gulliver’s Travels, which introduced the little people of Lilliput to 18th-century readers and has captivated people of all ages since.

Mr Swift said: “We are very proud that Jonathan’s most famous work will be the theme of this year’s Feast and Fayre, and we hope more people, especially children, will be inspired to read the book and more of his works.

“He was a very talented writer and his works were way ahead of their time.”

Children at Horndon School have written poems around the Gulliver’s Travels theme and the best poets will be presented with prizes at the Feast and Fayre opening ceremony on Saturday, June 24.

There will also a spectacular flower festival in Horndon church with displays celebrating the life and works of Swift.

Other highlights of the weekend will include the Horndon 10K, music and street entertainment, and the annual tug-of-war contest between the two village pubs, The Bell and The Swan.

There will also be performances by The Complete Commedia Company from stories collected by Thurrock residents as part of the Thurrock 100 Tales programme and art displays in line with the 2017 Thurrock Art Trail. Local bands will perform at The Swan on the Saturday night.