Thousands expected at spectacular day of fun

Posted on June 28, 2006

The curtain rises on Saturday on this year's spectacular St Mary's Village Carnival which will see hundreds of people descend onto Edlesborough Green for a day of fun.

And with a "Films" theme the organisers are hoping for a box office hit that will see receipts top the £10,000 that was raised from the 2005 event.

The shop opens with a dazzling parade through the streets of Eaton Bray and Edlesborough that starts from The Orchards at 12.30pm and takes an hour to wend its way through the two villages before arricing at The Green.

Brightly-decorated floats from community groups, shops and schools will be headed by carnival queen Anna Cella, princess Lucy Everson and attendants Annabelle French and Zara Rogers and there will be a crowd of fancy-dressed "extras" accompanying the procession on foot.

And villagers will be hoping to win the carnival's coveted "Oscar" - a stunning cut glass Best Dressed House trophy that Leighton Buzzard Observer provides for the best dressed house in each of the two villages.

This year's movie theme should provide plenty of ideas for villagers - whether it's children's animations, horror, family fun or westers, so make your house an epic to remember.

Carnival committee chairman Peter Bennett, said: "This year our carnival will have more stalls and attractions than ever before, and we hope to beat last year's record sum raised for local charities.

"One of the main beneficiaries will be the Iain Rennie Hospice, well known locally for their outstanding care and support of people with terminal illness.

"Thanks to the hard work and generosity of many people we look forward to a wonderful carnival day with some fantastic prizes and entertainment for all ages."

Visitors to the carnival will be able to enjoy dozens of stalls, hot air balloon rides, stunt kite displays, chainsaw wood carving, a dog show, worm charming, belly dancers and the ever popular Clarabelle the Cow.

For more information about the event visit www.stmarysvillagecarnival.com.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 27 June 2006