NOW in its 20th year, The Beggars Fair is one of the largest free annual family events in Hampshire.

A total of 21 venues in Romsey will host a fabulously eclectic mix of folk, rock, jazz, blues and classical music together with dancers, street entertainment, arts, crafts and children’s entertainers.

Acts this year include The Soul Catchers, Retroswing, Jero Ferec, The Intruders, Mary Jane, Contraband, The Chequered Flag Appalachian Dancers, Wickham Morris, The Rock Choir and, for the first time, The Laisa Village Dancers who are visiting the town to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the twinning between Romsey and Battenberg in Germany.

The Melting Pot takes centre stage in Church Place and Youth in Romsey will be presenting a selection of young musicians on their stage in The Memorial Park, alongside a host of children’s activities.

Events kick off at 11am following the official opening by the Mayor of Romsey Mark Cooper in The Cornmarket.

u AN eclectic Larmer Tree music line-up features some brilliant international superstars and fantastic homegrown talent. Joining headliners Paloma Faith, Amadou & Mariam, Jools Holland, Levellers and Roots Manuva at the Larmer Tree Gardens on the Wiltshire Dorset border this weekend are a host of local success stories such as New Forest based The Wishbones, nine-piece multinatural musical collective Pachango, this year’s Dorset Music Awards winners, Peace, Love & Gloves, and The Spitfire Sisters.

u EXPECT the biggest anthems past and present from the white isle of Ibiza, with Defected artist Ridney, High Tide residents Gary Bennetton & Boulé, plus Morgan Hislop (Tropics) on live percussion at a special Orange Rooms fundraiser tonight.

Ridney & Boulé bring their Ibiza Essentials to Friday night in aid of Hampshire children’s hospice Naomi House. As part of Boulé’s 30th birthday celebrations, they’ll bring a soundtrack of the biggest Ibiza anthems from past, present and future. Joining them will be High Tide’s Gary Bennetton.

u FROM deepest, darkest Surrey, and with a decade of gentlemanly catterwalling under his belt, Mr.B brings you Chap-Hop, re-acquainting Hip-Hop with the Queen’s English from whence it came.

His legendary live recitals have earned him plaudits, largely from top shelf gentlemen’s quarterlies.

Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer is at The Joiners tonight.