Watchet Carnival brings out crowds and the sun (From Somerset County Gazette)
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Watchet Carnival brings out crowds and the sun
1:00pm Saturday 4th August 2012 in News
By Hannah Green
Long-serving town crier Alec Danby, Olympic torch bearer Josh Lee and Bernadette Danby lead the parade. PHOTO: Steve Guscott
RAIN soon cleared last Sunday (July 29) to make way for this year’s Watchet Carnival.
Crowds gathered and enjoyed a variety of entertainment on the Esplanade before the parade itself began, including street theatre, giant kangaroos, a juggler, radio-controlled Albot the Robot, poetry readings, morris men and a band playing traditional music.
Long-serving town crier Alec Danby led the parade for the last time, before he retires after the summer.
A traditional fete followed the parade, with food, a bouncy castle, trade stalls and a pipe band display, before the presentation of the silverware.
Nigel Pike, part of Watchet LIVE which organises the carnival, said: “It went very well. Even the weather came good for us. The parade entries were so imaginative. It was brilliant, everyone had a great time.”
RESULTS
- Amy Duffield was presented with the Jade Chatfield Memorial Trophy to mark the start of her year as Carnival Queen.
- Best dressed shop: Quantock Pharmacy; best dressed boat: Geoff Bird for Pemtika; best illuminated boat: Martin and Sheila Stevens for Misty.
- Carnival parade judges: Cllr Dave Westcott (chairman); Pam Bosley – Warren Farm; Frank Clegg – Newt Beer Festival; Hannah Bays – Porlock
- Carnival parade class winners: Best first-time entry: Tracey Bland with Barbie Girls; best alien entry: Wheddon Cross Carnival Club with its Jubilee theme; best vehicle: Ray Waterman with his 1956 Austin A30; best dressed driver: Christian Phillingham with the Parrot Club; best walking single: David Milton as The Happy Wanderer; best walking group: 1st Watchet Cubs and Beavers with Entry of the Gladiators; best humorous entry: Zippy and Nick as The Muppets; children – under 11 years: 1st Watchet Cubs and Beavers with Entry of the Gladiators; best feature float under 30ft: West Somerset Hotel with Lou Lou Locomotion; best feature float over 30ft: Anchor Inn with Moulin Rouge; best pub entry: Anchor Inn with Moulin Rouge; best overall entry: 1st Watchet Cubs and Beavers with Entry of the Gladiators.
