SHOPFRONTS across Romsey have been decorating their windows in anticipation of a new festival.

One Romsey, the brainchild of new Romsey Town Mayor Cllr Russell Theron, is coming to the southern Test Valley on Sunday, June 22.

The new festival wants to celebrate the town's diversity, which the new mayor and his deputy, Cllr Colin Burgess, have put as the cornerstone of this mayoral year.

Cllr Theron said: "One Romsey is all about celebrating diversity and culture in our wonderful town, and I am delighted that local businesses are supporting this.  

Romsey shopfronts are getting decorated for One Romsey on Sunday, June 22 (Image: Russell Theron)



"We are running a window display competition which is going to be judged on the day, and I encourage other businesses to get creative and get involved.

"For those without a shop window front, we are also running the Mayor's Charity Art competition, where budding artists can create a piece of artwork celebrating diversity.

"Artwork will be displayed in the Town Hall with prizes for each age category."

The mayor announced One Romsey in May. He said: "Diversity is extremely important to me and, as part of my Mayoral year, I wanted to begin by hosting an event that celebrates the rich differences that make our community unique.

"From our friends from Ukraine who now call Romsey home, to those who have lived here their entire life, the event is open to everyone and proudly celebrates cultural diversity while being fully inclusive of all ages, genders, sexualities and backgrounds.

"A welcoming space where all people can come together to celebrate the beauty of diversity."