JULIAN Fellowes is the latest celebrity to sign up for Weldmar’s fundraising Dorset Extravaganza at the end of this month.

The Oscar-winning writer has agreed to ‘mind the stall’ for London-based couture milliner Judy Bentick, who will be selling her hats at the event.

Judy’s husband Tim, who plays David Archer in the BBC’s long-running radio soap The Archers, will also be giving a talk about the show at the Extravaganza in the Powell Theatre on Friday, May 29 at 2pm.

The Dorset Extravaganza is a day-long series of fun events and talks that all the family can enjoy.

Based in and around Sherborne, the day will include five amazing lectures by gardening writer Anna Pavord, American astronaut Joe Allen, authors Michael Dobbs and Tim Heald.

There will also be a lecture and demonstration on flower arranging by Funky Flowers.

There will also be a silent auction and an art exhibition in the Holt Gallery, where 23 local artists will be displaying and selling their work – and giving 35 per cent of each work sold to Weldmar.

Local schools have been involved in a design a rocket competition, to be judged by Joe Allen, and there will be a rocket launch towards the end of the day.

Veteran astronomer Patrick Moore will be judging a children’s essay on When Will We Go To Mars.

Children and families will also enjoy the jugglers, puppeteers and street theatre laid on and there will be music from military and jazz bands.

And just in case all this wonderful entertainment whips up an appetite, there will be a hog roast as well as a wide range of stalls and sit-down food available throughout the venue.

Tickets for the lectures cost £10 and are available from Weldmar Hospicecare Trust on 01305 215315.