7th October 2011

NEWTON POPPLEFORD: High standard of entries injects colour and fun into carnival

By Laura Golsdbury Noy

Excited spectators lined the streets of Newton Poppleford on Saturday night for the annual illuminated carnival procession.

The carnival was said to be one of the best ever, with a huge array of floats and entries coming from all over East Devon. For the first year in a while, the evening was subject to fine weather bringing more crowds than in previous years.

Entry numbers in both the walking and motorised sections were similar to other years, however, the high standard was noted by the judges throughout. They also noted the dedication to the carnival procession by those that entered, which brought a much needed boost to festivities.

The town’s exciting carnival week was a further success, with more than £1,000 raised for Newton Poppleford’s carnival committee, by far the largest amount the fundraising group has seen for many years.

The carnival procession was led by the local emergency vehicles in the area, Newton Poppleford’s carnival royalty float and two troupes of majorettes who were applauded throughout the route and brought fun and colour to the parade.

Karisma majorettes from Axminster were at the front of the two groups, proudly showing off their new uniforms. This year’s carnival queen was Holly Nash who led the carnival procession on her “Forest Friends” themed tableau holding this year’s trophies and prizes.

Sid Vale Carnival Club once again stormed the procession with their impressive western themed float- “Yee ha” and came top in the open spectacular class followed closely by the exciting “Venture Las Vega” tableau.

Another popular float this year, following the trend at many other Devon carnivals, was the Nunsford Nutter’s “Bird is the word” float from Colyton, that won first in the open humorous category.

Local walking groups also came out in full force for the event with Newton Poppleford Cricket Club dressing up as a huge clan of smurfs and Pebbleford WI who dressed in their sweat bands and leg warmers for the alternative Olympics, taking first place in the walking adult group class.

Valerie Tomsett, Carnival Committee Treasurer said: “We have had a fantastic year with a great amount of money made. We were very thankful to everyone that took part and the quality of the entries was very high this year.

“Thanks to all the crowds that have supported us, it was a great night and we hope we can have another successful year next year.”

Results:

• Open Spectacular: 1st Ye Ha - Sid Vale, 2nd Venture Las Vegas - OSMVSU.

• Open Humerous: 1st Bird is the Word - Nunsford Nutters, 2nd Obsession From a Western - Axminster Young Farmers.

• Open decorated under 30ft: 1st Eastern Promise - Budleigh Salterton CC, 2nd Rasputin - The Muckslingers, 3rd Game On - Fusion CC.

• Open youth 17 & under on float: 1st Monarch of the Glen - South Brent.

• Royalty (East Devon): 1st, Pearls of the Sea - Ottery St Mary CC, 2nd Hollywood - Seaton Carnival, 3rd Egyptian Queen - Colyton Carnival, 4th Honiton Pearls - Honiton Carnival.

• Visting Royalty: 1st Egyptian Treasures, 2nd Grecian Queen, 3rd Masguerade, 4th Budleigh Salterton Royal Family.

• Non Motorised: 1st Lighthouse Loonies.

• Walking Children individual: 1st Pharoah Surprise, 2nd Supermario.

• Walking children pairs: 1st Bill & Ben - Izzy and Evie Bramall, 2nd Pirate Jack & Squawk - Jack and Olly Marchant.

• Walking adult individual: 1st Off with Their Heads - Lucy Thomas, 2nd Jewel of the Sea - Jodie Bea Mitchell, 3rd Chess Queen - Stella Swain

• Walking adult pairs: 1st Blooming Marvellous - Mary and Roda Batten

• Walking adult groups: 1st The Alternative Olympics, 2nd Smurfs Do Cricket - Newton Poppleford Cricket Club

PICTURE 1: CARNIVAL ROYALTY - Holly Nash is this year’s carnival queen for Newton Poppleford

PICTURE 2: OFF WITH THEIR HEADS - Lucy Thomas came first for walking adults

PICTURE 3: GOING FOR GOLD - Pebbleford WI came first in the group’s class with the “Alternative Olympics”

PICTURE 4: POLLY WANT A CRACKER - Captain Jack and Squawk are brought to life by Jack and Olly Marchant

NEWTON POPPLEFORD: High standard of entries injects colour and fun into carnival

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