St Mary's Village Carnival 2011

Posted on July 4, 2011

St Mary's Village Carnival has grown to become one of the largest events of its kind in the country.

Run entirely by volunteers to raise money for local good causes, the event displays a wonderful community spirit.

Many thousands of people flocked to Edlesborough Green where there were over 150 stalls of all kinds. In almost perfect weather the event was opened by Rev Coralie McCluskey, who has recently been appointed priest in charge of St Mary's, Eaton Bray with help from the Carnival Queen, Rebecca Baldwin, Carnival Princess, Stephanie Tate and two attendants, Melanie Tate and Chloe Tough.

2011 saw one of the biggest processions in recent years with around 40 vehicles including nine floats dressed to the Carnival theme of Pirates. As well as ships loaded with pirates, the floats included the whole cast of Peter Pan (with pirates led by Captain Hook) and modern day Somali pirates attacking a family cruising the oceans. Results of the procession were:

• Lower School: 1^st - Edlesborough U5s, 2^nd – Eaton Bray Academy, 3^rd - Totternhoe Lower School
• Middle: 1^st - 1st Eaton Bray & Edlesborough Cubs, 2^nd - Edlesborough School, 3^rd - 2nd Eaton Bray Brownies
• Adult: GIFT, Cats Protection Society, Janes

One of the features of the Carnival is the way so many households dress their houses with balloons, bunting and to the theme of the event – it is a joy to walk or drive through the villages. This year the standard for the prize of Best Dressed House was very, very high and there were at least 15 houses in contention for the prizes. Trophies, donated by Ben Wright, of Edlesborough Autos, were awarded to 44-46 High St Edlesborough and 39 Moor End, Eaton Bray, with commendations to the runners up – 9 The Green, Edlesborough and 9 High St, Eaton Bray.

The star prize winners at the Carnival were all local including the winners of a weekend for two in Rome, a beautifully carved statue created by our chainsaw carver, Dan Cordell and a cheque for Clarabelle, the Carnival's pantomime cow.

The amount of money raised is unquantifiable. The Carnival Committee expects to have raised a similar total to last year – in the region of 12-13 thousand pounds, which in the economic climate is a fantastic result; beneficiaries of this sum will include St Mary's Church, the Hospice of St Francis and Weatherfield School, plus many local good causes. In addition it is estimated that another £30,000 in total was raised by stall holders – much of this money will come back to the local community.

For pictures and more, see the St Mary's Village Carnival website and Facebook pages.