HUNDREDS lined the sun-drenched streets of Astwood Bank on Saturday for the annual carnival celebrations.
With decorated floats, themed walking groups, dancers, army cadets and marching bands, the procession was waved through the village by delighted spectators.
The procession was led by this year’s Carnival Royalty in a horse drawn lander, which in turn was followed by two limousines with a number of dignitaries in them including Rachel Maclean MP and Mayor Jenny Wheeler.
They were then followed by 10 decorated floats as well as some traction engines, American muscle cars, marching bands and eight walking groups.
From fairies and princesses, to vampires and sharks, the themed floats celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Astwood Bank Carnival with creativity and flair.
The Matchborough First Scouts were judged to have the best float with their ‘Once Upon a Dream’ theme, and the Tiny Tribes nursery were named the top walking group. Wearing painted miniature shop fronts, with youngsters dressed as shop keepers, traffic lights and road signs, the group became a walking model of Astwood Bank highstreet.
The guests who visited the Carnival field at SE Davis were greeted by more than thirty stalls, fairground rides and the Wye Valley Axemen. Crowds were also treated to a flypast of an RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster bomber.
Chair of the Carnival Committee Ashly Hewitt said: “This has to have been one of the most successful and happiest Carnivals we have been able to put on.
“Our thanks go not only to the many local businesses who support us on being able to put this on, the Carnival Committee members who put in so much work throughout the year to make this happen, but also the public who make the whole thing worthwhile.
“After all of this we then are in the privileged position of having funds that we are able to share later in the year with local groups and charities to help put even more back into our community.”
