THE chance to be a member of royalty for the year has proven as popular as ever, with a very high standard being set by all of the entrants for this year’s Astwood Bank Carnival Royalty.
Although the highlight for the Carnival Royal family will be Carnival Day on Saturday, July 14, there will be a number of other events they will attend in their official capacity such as a Bollywood Night, a Strawberries and Cream event and a Barn Dance.
This year’s Astwood Bank Carnival Queen will be Sophia Cottam, aged 12, with Cassia Horner, aged 10, as Princess.
Alex Lightfoot, aged eight, will be Carnival Prince, while Imogen Masters-Palmer, aged eight, is appointed Rosebud.
Rather than an interview process for the Carnival Royalty candidates the selection team continued with last year’s successful approach of holding a talent show. This icebreaker then allowed the team to conduct a much more informal chat to help them choose this year’s winners.
The team was presented with a wide variety of skills ranging across singing, dancing, reading original poetry, and even being given an introduction to gaming!
The Royalty will be leading the procession of floats, walking groups, marching bands and the odd steam traction engine on Carnival Day.
Starting from SE Davis in Edgioake Lane at 12noon it will wind its way around the streets of Astwood Bank, and returns to the carnival field at 2pm where shortly after the Royals will officially be crowned.
Vicky Johnson, who led the royalty appointment team, said: “I thank everyone who took the time and care to apply to become a member of our ‘Royal Family’.
“I’m only sorry we couldn’t crown them all.”
