Helmdon Parish Council

Helmdon Carnival 2006 - Report and Pictures

Carnival Report (click on above link for more pictures)

1460 Squadron Marching Band led the way through the village.

Well, the 'Circus' certainly did come to Helmdon over the August Bank Holiday where we celebrated the 24th Helmdon Carnival as hundreds of people came along to join in the fun and festivities over the weekend.

We were entertained on Saturday evening by the fantastic 'Sunfly', a local band who got us dancing and singing while we maintained our energies with a tasty hog roast. Sunday morning, Rev Will Adams led a wonderful 'songs of praise' Church Service in the marquee at the sports field which was a great success and will certainly be a feature again next year. More fun was had in the Bell Inn Public House on Sunday evening as Eddie Garner, our very own quiz master, tested our general knowledge skills to the limit - quite an intelligent bunch in Helmdon!

Monday saw a hive of activity as volunteers, village groups and committee members prepared the sports field for Carnival day - collecting, moving, erecting furniture and marquees, displaying local craft and produce, preparing stalls and refreshments and organising the various attractions to enable a most wonderful day to happen.

The procession began at Helmdon School, starting a little later than expected as the heavens opened and a sudden downpour began. Not to be put off the 1460 Squadron Marching Band led the way through the village as our 2 resident clowns Neil Smith and John Plunkett showered the crowd with water pistols. Following closely behind were Riverside Reflections, Nick Mead in his 'limo' tank, Jeffs Coaches and St Johns Ambulance. Unfortunately, no other village group paraded this year and we have seen a gradual decline since being unable to insure motorised floats. The Carnival committee is looking into alternative options for next year.

Judy entertained everyone

Despite being unable to host the ever-popular vintage ploughing this year, we were all entertained by the fantastic Icarus falconry display team as hawks and owls swooped and dived from great heights to in amongst the crowd. Riverside Reflections Dancers from Fulham treated us to sample of their award winning dancing and Punch and Judy entertained the children in the main arena. Helmdon's very own "Crufts" was once again an exciting event with a record number of entrants. Andy Deverall demonstrated his art and speed in sheep shearing and the very popular Craft and Produce marquee displayed the many talents of our community. In addition to these attractions many other side shows and stalls provided entertainment and interest throughout the day. We estimate to have raised £4,000 for charitable causes - a tremendous achievement.

Helmdon Carnival Committee would like to say an enormous 'thank you' to everybody who has supported the Carnival once again this year, the many volunteers who offer such time and effort to help in the preparation for the annual event, and who share and demonstrate their talents, to our sponsors and to the many people who attended the weekend. A special thank you to Harold Seckington who opened the Carnival this year. Harold was born in Helmdon and has lived here all of his life. He has been an active Carnival Committee member since the conception of the carnival 24 years ago and this year retires from the committee. We would like to thank Harold for his continued commitment and dedication to the Helmdon Carnival.

If you are interested in joining the Carnival Committee or have any suggestions or ideas or comments for the 2007 Carnival when we celebrate 25 years, then please contact a member of the committee.

See you next year!

Claire Bryant
Carnival Chair

Carnival Programme