Bray-cing carnival atmosphere enjoyed by all!

Posted on July 7, 2005

More than £10,000 was raised for local charities and good causes when St Mary's Village Carnival took place on Saturday. About ten floats with a nursery rhyme theme made up the procession through Eaton Bray and Edlesborough.

Edlesborough Under Fives group won the preschool and lower school category, while the 1st Eaton Bray and Edlesborough Cubs took first place in the junior school organisations with their Grand Old Duke of York float. In the fmily and business category, first place went to St Mary's Growing in Faith Together (GIFT), a faith group for yojng adults. The procession floats were accompanied by carnival queen Amy Ryder; princess Elizabeth Ranson and their attendants, who travelled in style with Honeywick Carriages. Along the route, Eaton Bray's best-dressed house was 128 High Street, while 64 High Street was named Edlesborough's winner.

A procession of vintage cars also travelled the route to Edlesborough Green, where the carnival was opened by businessman Peter Janes. Belly-dancing, worm-charming and chainsaw-carving were among the more unusual attractions.

Country dancing was performed by Dagnall School pupils, while displays of basket-weaving and spar-making, Birds of Bray and Clarabelle the Cow all helped make the day a success.

Visitors could also buy a plastic contestant to take part in the annual duck race on the River Ousel, which starts at the Meads in Eaton Bray on Saturday at 1pm. Carnival chairman Peter Bennett said: "The carnival's success was overshadowed by the recent sudden death of Brock Shaw, much loved by all, and whose role as press publicist and arena maestro will be very difficulr to fill."

The money raised will be split between St Mary's Church fabric fund, the Dagnall Church extension and other local charities and groups.

Source: Catherine Lofthouse, Dunstable Gazette, 6 July 2005