A YEAR of planning came to a thrilling conclusion when hundreds of people piled into Evesham for the town’s annual carnival.
Vehicles supplied by many local hauliers arrived early to allow more than 20 floats to be constructed and decorated in time for the judging of best float.
After a brief, torrential downpour, the roads were closed and the parade set off on its circuit of the town and once on the move all involved enjoyed the parade in the carnival’s second successive year after a seven year absence.
The parade was led by St Andrews Pipe Band, Long Eaton Millitaires and Celebration Reed & Brass Band to ensure the Vale streets were filled with both colour and sound.
The parade stretched for more than half a mile from the motorcycle outriders at the front to the West Mercia Fire Brigade’s engine at the rear with entrants from local schools, clubs, charities, individual families and Tesco.
On the Crown Meadow before, during and after the parade there was entertainment for all the family including: Magic Steve; James Locke; the Bretforton Silver Band and finishing with The Pleasuredome.
All day the Vale First Food Festival was hosted by Transition Evesham Vale and offered a wide selection of delicious foods for the throngs of spectators who visited, the Fleece provide the necessary refreshments and there was a busy area of charity and community stalls.
Among those in attendance were the newly-reformed Evesham Ladies Circle who offered face painting and glitter tattoos to any spectator who felt under dressed with the colourful floats nearby.
The best float was judged by a panel co-ordinated by John Raphael, resplendent in his town crier robes, and comprised Wychavon District Council chair Coun Frances Smith, Evesham Mayoress Coun Sue Amor, Marcus Toney (Vale of Evesham Round Table Chair) and Carnival Queen Kiaragh Brown along with Thea Andrew her attendant.
Sedgeberrow CE First School came out triumphant capturing the carnival’s Rio theme with Heart of England Mencap in second and St Richard’s School in third.
Glen Lyon, one of the organisers, said: “The carnival committee would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part and all those who braved that spell of ‘liquid sunshine’ to stand along the parade route to watch, cheer and donate to the bucket collections.
“The list of organisations and people to thank is extremely long, but these are a few to start with:
Karndean Design Flooring, Listers VW, R K Services, Transition Evesham Vale, Wychavon District Council and Evesham Town Council.”
“Marshalls of Evesham, R. Sinclair Transport, Spiers and Hartwell, Troughton Transport, J R Payne Haulage and H&I Transport must also be thanked and a special mention for Pat and Brian Marshall two of our committee members who worked all year to ensure we had participants on the floats,” he added.
Proceeds from the day are still being counted and a presentation evening will be held where the nominated charities will receive their share of the donations while and the winning floats will also have their cheques ‘topped up’.
Organisers have invited Vale residents to share their feedback online at www.eveshamcarnival.uk or at their Facebook page.
