Carnival 2003 - Circus
News - Focus, August 2003
NOW THE CARNIVAL IS OVER...
Saturday 5th July, 8am and Edlesborough Green was full of people putting up tents, stalls and generally getting everything ready for the 2003 Carnival. By 11am, floats were arriving at The Orchards in Eaton Bray, ready for judging. And at 1.30pm, Sue Parker and the Carnival Queen declared the Carnival open!
This year’s Carnival was the most successful ever, raising over £10,000 for local good causes. The main beneficiaries will be St Mary’s Fabric Fund, Hospice at Home and the Eaton Bray Village Hall, but if you would like to nominate a local charity or good cause please contact Gordon Gray via the Carnival website.
The Carnival enjoyed a great local turnout. Popular attractions included hot air balloon rides, children's amusements and a skep maker and bee keeper, as well as very popular dog show. Arena events included:
- maypole dancing displays by children from Dagnall School
- Jazzercise demonstration
- classic cars display
- parade of winning dogs from the dog show
- fancy dress competition
- Worm-charming. In a competition new to the Carnival, around 80 people spent 15 minutes taking part in a worm-charming contest in the main arena (quite a sight!) - the winner (with two worms!) was Stacey Loczy of Dunstable.
With a theme of 'The Circus', there was plenty of scope for those entering floats in the Carnival Procession or decorating houses and shops. Cups for the best floats were awarded to the 1st Eaton Bray Brownies, Eaton Bray Lower School and St Mary's GIFT youth group.
Winners of the Grand Draw included:
- 1st prize - luxury weekend for two to Rome - Elizabeth Ryder, of St Mary's Church congregation, Eaton Bray
- 2nd prize - visit to the Houses of Parliament - Tim Woodley
- 3rd prize - day's fishing at Bellows Mill - Mrs Tompkins
Clarabelle the Cow made 7 year old Paul Moseley’s day by depositing her 'load' in his chosen square!
The Carnival Committee would like to thank everyone in the villages for their support for the Carnival – whether through advertising in the programme, having a stall, entering a float in the Procession, donating prizes and above all, by turning out to support the Carnival.
If you would like to be involved in next year’s Carnival (on the first Saturday in July – put it in your diary now!), the Committee would love to hear from you – contact us via the website.
© Focus Magazine 2003
