Carnival 2002 - Celebrating Britain
News - Focus, May 2002
CARNIVAL 2002 - 6th July 2002.
The Carnival is approaching and by the time you read this article, the Carnival Queen, Princess and attendants will already have been selected. This year's carnival, with its theme of 'Celebrating Britain' looks set to be a great day out for the whole family. Attractions already confirmed include a hot air balloon, the Birds of Bray, craft demonstrations (including whistle and basket making) and dancing displays in the arena by the Haddenham Hoofers (morris dancers), among others. What's more, many of these attractions are free! As well as the displays, there will also be lots of children's amusements, such as elaborate bouncy castles and the kiddies' go-karts. As ever, the carnival will also offer a variety of stalls, including some craft stalls.
Joining in with the Carnival
As well as coming to the Carnival on 6th July, there are plenty of ways to join in:
- Carnival Procession – enter a float in the Carnival Procession. Whether you enter as a local organisation, a business or simply a group of friends or neighbours, this makes a great contribution and you could win a prize for your efforts – as well as free publicity for your organisation or business. If you don't wish to enter a float yourself but have a lorry which could be used, please contact one of the Carnival Committee (see below). We are also keen to find more classic cars to participate in the procession – please contact David Marriage if you would like to help.
- House Decoration – it's become a tradition for houses on the Carnival Procession route to be decorated - especially on the theme for the year's carnival. Again, there are prizes for the best-decorated houses in both Eaton Bray and Edlesborough. Even if your house is not on the procession route, why not put up decorations anyway and enter into the celebrations?
- Carnival Sponsors – we are looking for sponsors for some of the attractions at the 2002 carnival. You can help in many ways – make a donation, donate a prize for the Grand Draw or lend a lorry (ideally low-sided) for the procession.
- Buy or sell tickets for the Grand Draw – with some excellent prizes on offer, make sure that when the time comes you buy your draw tickets. Alternatively, help us to sell them!
- Help out – on the day, or lend equipment, such as gazebos or bunting. We always need plenty of volunteers to help out on the day with roles as diverse as marshalling traffic, putting up or clearing away stalls, helping in the tea tent or baking cakes for it. Even if you can only spare a couple of hours, from 8am onwards, we would be delighted to hear from you! For more information, please contact Chris Beck.
- Does anyone have a photo of last year's Carnival taken from the hot air balloon? If you have, please let Gordon Gray know.
Finding Out More
This year, a new website, (www.stmarysvillagecarnival.com) holds details of all the entertainment on offer at the Carnival and explains how to get involved. Alternatively, contact one of the Carnival Committee such as Gordon Gray or new members Robert Tigg (Charity Stalls), or Alison Walley (Publicity).
Above all, join us in Celebrating Britain on 6th July on Edlesborough Green!
© Focus Magazine 2002
