ROYSTON will be rocking on Saturday when the town hosts a new summer festival.

Called Royston Summer Rock, the event will see a host of activities going on in the High Street, which will be closed off to allow stalls and attractions to be erected.

The festival has been organised by Royston Means Business, the retailers group which was set up to help boost trade in the High Street. They have been working with the Royston First business improvement district company and Adhoc restaurant.

Lisa Thompson, from Royston Means Business, said: “We’ve been trying to revive the High Street a little bit, and we wanted to do this because it’s something a little bit different and will hopefully get some people come into the town centre.

“It’s a bit like the Christmas fair we did, and if it goes well we’ll be looking to make it a regular thing.”

A surfing simulator, stilt walkers and many other family activities will be on offer, with Royston Town Band providing a musical backdrop.

Meanwhile, in Fish Hill Square, Adhoc is running Summer Soul to the Square, a programme of live funk and soul music and DJs who will be playing throughout the afternoon and into the evening. An outdoor stage will be erected in the square for the occasion.

The latest Royston Cash Mob is also taking place on Saturday to coincide with the festivities. This will see a group of shoppers descend on a local business, all pledging to spend £5.

This time the mobbers will be targeting market stalls, and anyone who wants to join in should meet at the bottom of the High Street, near The Cross, at noon.

Clare Swarbrick took part in the first two mobs, and is planning to go along on Saturday with her children Jonathan, five, and Katherine, eight.

She said: “We always buy fresh local produce from the market and shops in the town centre. I think we need to encourage our children to shop locally from the earliest age, otherwise independent shops won’t be there when they’re my age!”

The Cash Mob formed after a discussion on The Crow’s local social network, StreetLife. To join the debate, follow the link on our home-page, www.roystoncrow24.co.uk.