Carnival is a record-breaker

7:40am Friday 29th August 2008

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THIS year’s Ledbury Carnival was a record-breaker for the number of floats, the level of sponsorship and the amount of businesses that entered the shop window display competition.

Another record tumbled concerning raffle tickets sales, with all 1,000 tickets being snapped up for the first time ever.

But the crowd size was slightly down on last year, with an estimated 10,000 people flocking to the town centre, compared with an all-time high of about 12,000, in 2007.

This year’s grand procession had ten floats and assorted vehicles, walkers and even a leprechaun on a horse, making it the largest parade for at least a decade.

The event this year had an international theme, and Africa, America and even Antarctica trundled by, thanks to a truck-mounted snow machine.

Carnival committee chairman Steve Clegg said: “I was very pleased with the procession, and the sun came out the moment we left the rugby club. It was a good effort all round.”

Mr Clegg believes that crowd numbers were slightly higher last year because so many other events had been cancelled in the wash-out summer of 2007.

But this year’s carnival theme of Countries of the World really inspired local groups, with first prize in the big float class going to Ledbury Community Choir for its portrayal of Holland.

First place in the small float category went to Blue Ridge and India.

The children’s float category was won by the Little Movers’ Playgroup, with Safari.

There were 19 entries in the shop window competition and the winner was the Red Cross shop in New Street with its Countries of the World.

Businesses sponsorship also hit a high this year, with local firms adding around £1,500 to the carnival’s fighting fund.

Bucket collections on the day led to generous donations.

Mr Clegg said he hoped that over £2,000 has been donated.

The coins will be counted electronically in Bristol today (Friday, August 29).

Ledbury people are now being urged to join the carnival committee or get involved with the planning of the 2009 event.

An open meeting to discuss this year’s carnival and future plans will take place in the Market House on Monday, September 22, at 8pm.