Carnival day for the committee starts at 5:30am by checking all the barriers are in place for the road closures, on the Memorial park we set up the main marquee (which we put up the day before) by setting up the tables and chairs and getting the programmes ready for the opening, over at Wilmott Drive we put up the gazebo and set that up ready to open. Committee members are then given their radios and we do a radio check before we all go off to do our roles for the day.

At 7am the stallholders start to arrive and shown to their marked out pitch to set up their stalls. Security are briefed on what they will be doing for the day.

At 8am down on Station Rd industrial estate PGS lorries start to arrive and those having a float can then get to work decorating their floats ready for the procession.

The marshals arrive at 9:30am on the park and are given their instructions about the road closures given their radios then go to their allocated posts and wait for the procession to start.

At 10:30am the floats are judged to see who wins 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize, at 11am the procession starts off to travel up the High St. Gates then open at 11:15am and public are allowed in.

1pm on the stage the Royal court are brought on stage and we crown the Carnival Queen and announce the float winners. Then the entertainment begins for the afternoon.

By 6pm people and stallholders are leaving and we spend the next 2-3 hours clearing up the park, taking down the gazebo and marquee and returning tables and chairs back to the Town Hall.

Our day normally ends about midnight, we’re all completely shattered but willing to do it all over again the following year. Was such a shame the weather wasn’t on our side but that is one thing we can’t control.

Thank you to all those who help us on the day, we couldn’t do it without you and hope you will help us again next time.

The Committee

This is a picture of Gill who has been involved in the Carnival from the start of things and keeps the boys in check. Trust me without Gill’s ok then you have got no chance as she is the boss!.