Carnival 2001 - Wild West
A Personal Reflection
What a wonderful community this is. More houses than ever, it seemed, were decorated with bunting, balloons or something more extravagant. Of many potential winners of the rose bowls, donated by the LBO the winners were 103 High St, Eaton Bray and 54 The Pastures, Edlesborough. Well done everyone and thank you.
Perhaps as many as 200 children, as well as many ‘children’ of a more mature age, took part in the procession. With 16 floats and many other participants it was the biggest we have seen in the village. Well done to everyone who helped with, or took part in, the procession. The floats were superb - there were no losers. It was wonderful to see thousands of friends of these villages enjoying themselves on Carnival Day. The Green was empty at 7.30am and at 7.30pm. In between, there was a hive of activity and many happy, smiling faces. Hopefully, there was plenty to look at and do for all ages. Lynn Stubbs won £190 on Clarabel - other prize winners were announced in the local press. But the real winner of the day was our community. And whether you contribution was to draw a picture to go on the side of a lorry, blow up a balloon or raise/donate £1000+ your contribution was important and valued. Thank you everyone for your wonderful support.
We are indebted to Ken Coates for arranging for the hot air balloon to be on The Green, to Graham Westgate, whose firm donated the first prize in the Grand Draw and the many local organisations who donated goods or services.
Many local organisations had stalls and these may have raised as much as £10,000 between them to continue their good work in the villages. This on top of the money raised by the organising committee, which is likely to be around £8500. Distribution of that money will be as follows: 50% to St Mary's Church Fabric Fund 25% to Friends of Florence Nightingale Hospice 25% to local charities & good causes. Local good causes can write to Gordon Gray using the form provided if they could use a share of the money available.
Thanks are due to an outstanding committee of hard working and enthusiastic volunteers. They are a delight to work with - thank you all. And thanks too to those hardworking members of St Mary’s congregation. They are a very special group of people and will be delighted to welcome you in church on a Sunday morning.
Plans are already under way for next year's Carnival on 6 July 2002. The theme, in the year of the Golden Jubilee, will be "Celebrating Britain". Any businesses that would like to be associated with this highly successful event next year can contact the Chairman of the Committee, Gordon Gray, using the form provided. Donations of prizes for next year's Grand Draw or sponsorship of banners to replace ones that were stolen would be especially welcome. So, ‘See you at the Carnival’ again next year and may God continue to bless us all.
Gordon
© Focus Magazine 2001
