The final week before Ledbury's 'Countryside fun' Carnival began on a high note with new signage being installed.

The Carnival Association very much appreciate the generous support of The Helping Hand Company, Ledbury for designing, making and funding new brightly coloured signage to provide advance information regarding the Carnival. Replacement signage was well overdue and these new ones can be used to promote Carnival for years to come. The signs will be at the main entrances in to the town. The printing was carried out by Office Solutions, Worcester.

Clive Isherwood, General Manager of The Helping Hand Company said

"We are very happy to be supporting one of the major events in Ledbury. We know the costs of hosting this event have increased significantly over the last number of years, and is great we can offer some support to ensure this great community event can continue to provide entertainment and enjoyment for many people in the area."

The procession looks set to be larger than in recent years with more floats, three dance troupes including So-Xsighted, a

group of blind and partially sighted Morris Men, as well as a new Procession Class to include Dressed Mobility Scooters and Wheelchairs. The parade will be leaving the Rugby Club on Ross Road at 12 noon winding its way up New Street before arriving in the Town Centre to the delight of the waiting crowd and travelling on to Ledbury Primary School where the participants will alight. Please show your appreciation of their efforts by putting a few pennies in the collection buckets being carried by participants and their supporters. The Treasurer is very grateful for the help offered by other committee members and their families to count and bag the coins ready to bank. We are also very grateful to Ledbury Post Office who then accept all the bags being deposited.

A good mix of stalls are expected including those from new food vendors joining Carnival favourites Joseph Jones with his tasty burgers and Ledbury favourite, LDA Meats with their tasty Pork Rolls.

Some new charitable stalls are also expected to display their activities and raise funds beside old favourites, The Hospice Angels, Maritime Cadets and Buchanan Trust.

The Flower show is held in conjunction with The Ledbury Carnival. So, pop along and enjoy the Carnival floats and stalls but also pop along to the Community Hall in Lawnside where the Flower show will be held.

A Flower show in some form or another has been held in Ledbury since 1875 except for war and pandemic years. In the early years the show was an annual social event for growers around Ledbury and district to get together, exhibit their produce, meet old and new friends and have some fun. Today we try to keep those traditions going and in particular in having a fun afternoon. The Flower show has grown from those early days into an event that exhibits local talent in many different categories.

So come along to the Community Hall. The Show will be open to the public from 12.30pm to 4.00pm. As well as viewing all the exhibits on display, there will be a raffle, a Bric-a-Brac stall and teas/coffees and cakes will be provided by the ladies of the Ledbury WI. In fact, something for all members of the family. Admission will be £1 per person.

Raffle tickets will be on sale again on Saturday morning near the Market House between 10 and 12. With a large array of prizes donated by local businesses we hope everyone will buy a ticket. Just £1 is all you need to be in with a chance of winning.

Also on Saturday morning, the results of the Shop Window Competition will be announced and the overall winner presented with a silver trophy to display in their shop for the coming year.

After a busy and sometimes stressful few weeks, Carnival committee members will be up bright and early on Bank Holiday Monday morning doing the mundane jobs, putting the bins out, erecting their own Information Stand, preparing for judging and generally making sure this Carnival will run smoothly and prove enjoyable for all. The sunshine has been ordered, but we are dependant on the powers that be, for it to be delivered in time.

Tuesday will be a day of rest when all concerned can hopefully breath a sigh of relief and recover from a successful day.

Ledbury Carnival Association hope the local community will again support us and enjoy a wonderful family event.