Fantastic carnival raises over £10,000

Posted on July 4, 2006

Stiff competition from the World Cup and Wimbledon didn't deter thousands of people from flocking to Edlesborough Green on Saturday for the area's biggest carnival.

The blistering sun gave the St Mary's Carnival a Hollywood feel as the village played host to a spectacular event themed around the movies that resulted in last year's record £10,000 profit being well and truly trounced.

Marching bands, majorettes, vintage cars and a dazzling display of floats formed a pageant through Eaton Bray and Edlesborough at the start of the carnival.

Then it was on to the Green, which saw an increasing number of stalls and attractions to make families part with their cash.

One of the most popular events was the football shoot out - but luckily nobody on Edlesborough Green was sent off or injured! There was also worm charming, belly dancing, a dog show and wood carving.

The Leighton Buzzard Observer again sponsored two crystal trophies for the winners of the best dressed house along the procession route. The winner for Eaton Bray was Rachel McVeigh, at 100 High Street, for her Star Wars theme, and the Edlesborough prize went to Janes' shop for their display featuring The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

The Grand Draw's first prize of a weekend for two in Rome was won by Trevor Rix, of The Orchards, Eaton Bray. The second prize of tea at the Houses of Parliament with local MP Andrew Selous was won by Maggie Kerr.

Carnival Chairman, Peter Bennett, said: "This has probably been our best year ever when even important national sporting events couldn't keep people away from St Mary's Village Carnival.

"To raise over £10,000 in one day for local charities and good causes is not an easy achievement. It is a magnificent sum and I would like to thank everybody who helped with organising, fund-raising, and all those who came along on the day to enjoy themselves, for their efforts and for contributing.

"It is a wonderful event involving people from the villages of Eaton Bray, Edlesborough, Northall and Dagnall and the generosity of community spirit is the key to our carnival's success."

Photos and more results from the day are available from www.stmarysvillagecarnival.com

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 4 July 2006