Carnival goes out in blaze of sunshine (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Carnival goes out in blaze of sunshine

3:50pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in News By Tina Robins

THE wettest summer in 100 years gave way to warm sunshine just in time for Malmesbury Carnival’s spectacular finale.

The town centre was packed for the procession, which featured everything from the Bee Gees to Bond.

Spectators poured more than £3,100 into collection buckets. “It wasn’t as much as we normally do, but it has been a difficult year,” said treasurer Kate Waterfield.

As well as the recession there were a number of events over the summer, including WOMAD and the kite festival, competing with the carnival for people’s spare cash. The weather and the Olympics had also affected takings.

But the procession, which featured the first entry from Dyson, a new class for mobility scooters and an appearance by the Major Wrecks male cheerleader group, was still well supported.

“It went off very well,” said Mrs Waterfield. Although there were fewer floats the standard was still high.

“We had extra bands because of the support from Dyson and it was nice to see them enter a float in the commercial section.”

“It was a lovely evening, the fair was busy and people stayed up in town until late.”

Chris Stoodley, who organised the cash count at the town hall the following morning also paid tribute to the volunteers who turned up to help sort and add up the coins.

In the competition The Whole Hog took the Tableaux and the Pub cups, the Adult Walkers and the Paul Dove cups were won by Gill Smith, family and friends, the Under 15s Walkers Cup went jointly to Simon Cole and George Boardman while the Mobility Cup was won by Robbie McKenna.

See our gallery page for images of the procession

GROUP 1 Class A 1, The Whole Hog (Bacon not Stirred) 2, Dyson (Forward Dyson) 3, The Rose and Crown (Our Beautiful British Summer) Class B 1, Malmesbury Young Farmers (Mad Hatter’s Tea Party) 2, Cross Hayes Pre-school (Magical Kingdom) 3, Malmesbury Junior Young Farmers (Shawn the Sheep) Class C 1, Willow View Close (Willow View Close Goes Wild) 2, The Makinsons (Room on the Broom) GROUP 2 Class D 1, K and S Childminding Services (CirKUS 1703) 2, Malmesbury Surgery (Call the Midwife) Class E 1, 4014 (We turned up for a fancy dress but ended up hear) 2, Athelstan Players (Alice in Wonderland) 3, Malmesbury Children’s Centre (Stompy the Caterpillar) Class F 1, Gill Smith, family and friends (Archie “Short” and Flatley and the Avon River dancers) 2, Julie and the Horgans (The G Bees) 3, Joint – Simon Cole (Punk Rocker) and George Boardman (The Phoenix) Class G 1, Robbie McKenna (Harry Potter) 2, The Monday Club.