ORGANISERS of Ledbury Carnival are hailing at as one of best in years, after the sun shone and the crowds came out in droves.
The good weather that was specially ordered in by Carnival Committee chairman, Hilary Jones, arrived as expected; and an estimated 10,000 people flocked to the town centre to see one of the largest carnival parades in years.
There were nine floats, several horses and many walkers in costume, in support of this year's carnival theme, Heroes and Villains.
Ms Jones said: "It was the biggest crowd I've seen for several years; I would guess at 10,000 people, and a lot of people stayed in the town after the parade. The town centre was packed all day.
"A good time was had by all."
The money from bucket collections on the day is still to be reckoned up.
However, Ms Jones said: "It's looking pretty good. It seems as if people have been generous."
The carnival costs over £8000 each year to stage, with the aim of breaking even, - helped by bucket collections which take place along the route of the carnival parade.
The impression of an extra special this year has been shared by Ledbury residents.
New Mills resident, Chris Loten, a keen amateur photographer, said: "The weather was better than I can remember for many years; and I thought the carnival was particularly good."
Attractions on the High Street stage included live music from the Frontrunners, Now or Never and the C-Quins, and Ledbury Brass Band.
On St Katherine's car park, attractions included live music, Punch and Judy and magic shows.
Prizes are awarded for the best entries in the parade, and the results were as follows:
Class 1 children’s fancy dress
1st PC NIK-EM : Bea Powers
Class 2 Children’s Fancy Dress
1st Cruelly Deville : Erin Lobo
2nd Paw Patrol : Lewie Hobby
3rd Ledbury Police Officer : Rory Barry
Class 3 Senior Fancy Dress
1st King Richard The Third : Keith Francis
2nd Dick Turpin : Brenda Hill
3rd Golden Olympia : Sylvia Mil
Class 4 Best Bicycle, Pram, Walking Group
1st Cops and Robbers : Helen Powers and Friends
2nd Ledbury Maritime Cadet United Field Gun : Ledbury Maritime Cadets
3rd Paw Patrol : Sammi Hobby
Class 5 Best Equine
1st Disney Heroes and Villains : Walnut Equestrian Centre
Class 6 Best Small Float
1st Heroes and Villains of Our Souls : Romanian Family
2nd Ledbury Stocks Cops and Robbers : Pugh
3rd Thor and Louis : Twinning Association
Class 7 Large Float
1st The force is Strong with Rotary : Rotary Club
2nd Panto Goodies and Baddies : Ledbury Amateur Dramatic Society
Class 8 Best Children’s Float
1st A Trip to Neverland : Friends of Ledbury Children’s Centre
2nd Best of British : Bromesberrow St Mary’s School
3rd Cops and Robbers : The Weagers
Best Adult Fancy Dress
Darth Vader from the Rotary Club Float
Best Children’s Fancy Dress
Spiderman vs Doctor Octupus : Charlie Thomas and George Allen
Best Overall Winner
A Trip to Neverland. Friends of the Children Centre
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