VILLAGERS will be going back to basics as they prepare to hold this year’s Astwood Bank Carnival.
The celebrations will begin with a horse race night at 7.30pm next Friday (July 11) in a marquee at SE Davis, on Edgioake Lane, while the carnival procession takes place the following day.
A horse drawn carriage will carry this year’s carnival queen Molly Jones, prince Joshua Shewell and princess Pheobe Yates, from outside SE Davis at 12pm.
It will lead the parade through the villages streets decked in bunting, and residents and business owners are encouraged to spruce up their buildings as part of this year’s Best Dressed Property competition.
As the procession returns to the field at 2pm, stalls, a beer tent, Pimms tent, fairground rides and arena events will all be on offer to visitors.
Musicians, including a rock choir and Samba band will then take to the stage from 3pm to entertain crowds.
Jenny Lightfoot, carnival committee chair, added: “All of these events take a lot of hard work by a dedicated team to put them on, but we are always so brilliantly supported, we know we will raise lots of money for local charities and organisations, so in the end the whole community benefits.
“So whether you buy a programme, a raffle ticket, throw some pennies in a bucket on the procession, or come along to the race night, it helps us raise money to the benefit of all, whilst having some great fun along the way.”
The main road through the village will be closed during the parade.
Visit www.astwoodbankcarnival.co.uk for more information.
