Report by Olivia Warburton.
RESIDENTS of Astwood Bank and visitors got into the carnival spirit for its annual two-day event.
Friday night’s barn dance provided a great start to the celebrations with music from the band Life of Riley followed by close-up magician Sam Wilson.
Event organiser Colin Bates said: “It was a brilliant start to the weekend of celebrations with such a cracking event.
“Clearly a few of us were a little down on the England World Cup result, but once everyone arrived, there was a real atmosphere.”
With near-perfect weather on carnival day, the procession was led by last year’s carnival royalty in a horse-drawn carriage, followed by MP Rachel Maclean and Mayor of Redditch, Coun Juliet Brunner, in limousines.
There were also nine floats, traction engines, a fire engine, an American muscle truck and an army jeep.
Walking groups also took part, decorated in keeping with the ‘Storytime’ theme.
This year’s winners of best float were the Astwood Bank Girl Guides, Brownies and Rainbows with a theme of ‘Happily Ever After’.
The winners of best walking group and the overall best in show winners were Astwood Bank Primary School with a theme of ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
Lucy Jane’s School of Dance entertained the crowds before the official awards were presented and the new carnival royals were crowned.
The Horseman of the Knight then wowed everyone with his riding skills before a fly-past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Hawker Hurricane.
