8th June 2012

CHARD: Chard turns red white and blue

THE DAY after the Royal Flotilla in London, Chard - the home of powered flight - held its own tribute to the event on the Thames with a parade of boats and costumes through the town centre as only a carnival town can.

Starting a Crowshute Link and led by the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the combination of walking, pushed and motorised boats created as tributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made a joyful scene.

Combined with town crier Stuart Cumming, the Mayor Councillor Cathie Morrison and consort Jim Morrison, Chard Goldstar Majorettes and Kelly Leigh Dancers, Freddie Ferne and even a lifeboat, the parade made its way past a waving crowd to Jocelyn Park where prizes were given for the best entries by the carnival committee.

The best fancy dress went to Lily Cumming, red white and blue on stilts, second was Molly Rose Hughes as a Jubilee Rose and in third came Summer and Isabelle Cambridge who were bedecked in the Union Flag.

CLOKS Pinafore Pirates took the cup for non-motorised boats, with second going to Forefront and third the Lang Family.

Eclipse Carnival Club really went to town with their steam boat which huffed it way down the street, pulled by Her Majesty in a tractor and won both best motorised boat and the overall shield presented by the Carnival’s Diamond Queen, Joan Oliver. Zem CC and the RNLI came second and third in the motorised category.

After the presentations, everyone enjoyed and afternoon of family fun and entertainment in the park, with Chard Goldstars and Kelly Leigh dancers in the main arena and a dog show by Ferne Animal Sanctuary.

The party continued into the evening until the parade went back through the town in the evening to the beacon at Mitchell gardens.

Chard’s Olympic Torch bearer James Winter was given the honour of the Diamond Jubilee ritual, and the lighting was followed by fireworks.

Jubilee event organisers were delighted with the response and would like to thank everyone who made the effort to enter the parade and who came along to the party in the park.

Councillor Jenny Kenton said they hoped to make a summer party in the park an annual event as it had really brought the town together.

CHARD: Chard turns red white and blue

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