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BIGGLESWADE CARNIVAL: Report and pictures
The Chronicle's Jim Stewart reports on Biggleswade Carnival parade on Saturday - plus pictures
For once, we didn't have to look to the skies and hope.
We knew Saturday was going to be a gloriously warm and sunny day, the final ingredient to make a memorable Biggleswade Carnival parade.
And so it proved – a riot of colour and noise that brought the streets of Biggleswade to life and put a smile on thousands of faces, young and old.
Click here to view Tracey Goodacre's pictures which you may also purchase online
For me, it was carnival parade number 20 if my memory serves me correctly. I know there are many readers whose memories stretch back much further than that!
But certainly in my recollections the 2010 procession was up there with the best.
Even more importantly, it wasn't just a one off good year. It was the latest in a string of well supported, well attended and well received Biggleswade Carnivals.
There was a buzz in the town from lunchtime onwards. And nowhere more so than at Holmemead Middle School, where the playground was packed with people preparing for the big parade – floats, walkers in fancy dress, the carnival queen and her court, majorettes and band members – together with a beautiful steam traction engine and classic truck that had trundled their way up from Stotfold to join in the fun.
Once the judging was complete – and that was one tricky job this year – it was finally time to depart. The Rose pub were worthy recipients of the Pride Of Procession trophy with their Robin Hood float and their reward was to lead the way.
Joining them at the front was the carnival court with queen Nicola Woodward and her attendants. And there was one happy addition – the Sandy princess Emma Loughlin.
Sandy's Extravaganza was cancelled at the 11th hour leaving the princess without a parade, so she was invited to sit alongside the Biggleswade court and join in their big day.
More than a dozen floats, many from schools, made for a busy procession snaking its way out of the Mead End school.
The parade theme of children's TV programmes certainly stirred the imagination.
And it was great to see so many people walking alongside them too, including many braving the heat in fancy dress!
My role, and that of my Chronicle colleagues on the procession, was pretty simple – slap as many Chronicle lucky stickers on passers-by as I could along the route.
It truly is the day when the town comes out to party.
I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I bump into people that I haven't seen for years on carnival day – or sometimes for almost exactly a year, as I said hello to them during the last parade!
Putting a figure on exactly how many turn out to watch is tricky.
It's certainly well over 5,000 (the number of lucky stickers we hand out gives us a little clue and, sorry, I'm conscious we don't get to everyone!) and if the figure was actually nearer to 10,000, I wouldn't be a bit surprised.
The first big crowds gathered around the Red Lion and Stratton House Hotel – and that's a neat preparation for what to expect when you head over the railway bridge into the town, as the pavements are absolutely packed both sides.
There's a real buzz surrounding Henry Harris' fairground rides which, mingled with the usual Saturday market, makes for a thriving atmosphere.
From there, it was round Shortmead Street, Sun Street and St John's Street before taking a well earned breather - and a swift drink for some! – outside the Gardener's Arms pub in Potton Road.
Then it was the final leg of the journey, along Potton Road, Drove Road and Elm Road and back into Mead End – slightly quieter parts of the journey but still much appreciated by the families who turned out to offer their support.
Carnivals elsewhere have struggled in recent times, many have bitten the dust or are a shadow of their former selves.
But I can report with absolute certainly that Biggleswade's big day is in rude health.
Well done to all those who organised it and took part.
Long may it continue.
Click here to view Tracey Goodacre's pictures which you may also purchase online
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Weather for Biggleswade
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
