ORGANISERS of Pershore’s popular carnival are toasting success after a huge £6,850 cash injection from the Big Lottery Fund.
Committee members are celebrating after the grant from the national body which distributes a staggering £600million each year of all the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
The vital cash injection will go towards the cost of the 2014 carnival and free live music evening concert and fireworks.
Organisers hope residents from Pershore and beyond will show their support for this year’s event which takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26.
Carnival chairman Colin Shepherd told the Observer everyone on the committee was overwhelmed with the funding boost.
“This is fantastic news and a wonderful boost for the carnival but a massive pat on the back for all of the hard working people who again have given up their time to support an event which really does bring Pershore together.
“This year’s event is on May 26 and we hope everyone in Pershore and further afield will come along and support the event, we certainly have a packed programme to entertain once again.
To celebrate the cash boost, organisers have now revealed the evening concert and firework programme which will conclude a packed day of events which start with the procession at 1pm.
Abbey Park will be rocking from 6.30pm to the sounds of band Prism while from 7pm musical songstress Charlii Harrington will take to the stage.
The Garry Allcock Big Band will be making music from 7.30pm while a touch of Jailhouse Rock will be on offer from 8.30pm when Elvis tribute act Andy Kelso hits the stage.
Following a further performance from the Garry Alcock Big Band from 9pm, the fantastic day of events will come to a close with a firework display.
Creative youngsters who helped design this year’s carnival programme have also been honoured with prizes.
Nine-year-old Katie Shepherd, a pupil at Abbey Park Middle School, came up with the winning design for the front cover to capture this year’s carnival theme of ‘Heroes and Villains’.
Five-year-old Frankee Camden from Cherry Orchard First School and Summer Corfield, eight, a pupil at Pinvin First School were runners-up in the popular competition.
Pershore Library played host to the competition and the winning entries were judged by staff at the town’s information centre and out-going Pershore Mayor Coun Charles Tucker.
Visit www.pershorecarnival.co.uk or follow @PersCarnival for all the latest in the build up to this year’s event on May 26.
Liz Tucker and Pershore Mayor Coun Charles Tucker with Summer Corfield, Katie Shepherd and Frankee Camden. Pictures by Craig Frost
Pershore Carnival chairman Colin Shepherd, Deputy Mayor Coun Tony Rowley and Carnival Queen Lucy Jones and Carnival King Corley Frost launched the programme competition at the town’s library. Pictures by Craig Frost
