Report by Stella Gooch
Photos by Stella Gooch, Kerry Ibrom and Gel Topliss
1st place: Conservative Club entry in Carnival 2010 - photo by Kerry Ibrom
This year’s Hunstanton Carnival could not have wished for better weather. Indeed Sunny Hunny lived up to its name big time and the seafront and green were alive with activity and thronging visitors. As we basked in the glow proceedings began with an Opening Ceremony followed by Punch and Judy and entertainment by the wonderful Lavender Hill Mob. The parade entries assembled at Lincoln Square and the various “floats” and walking groups enjoyed some shade from the many lovely trees surrounding this new location. The new Hunstanton Mayor, Peter Mallam, accompanied by the beautifully turned out Carnival Princesses and Princes, walked among the Carnival Parade entries and made his assessments as to the winning floats.
Once assembled the procession departed Lincoln Square and then walked along the Cliff Parade into Town past the Green, along Le Strange Terrace up Westgate past the Library, down the High Street the wrong way and then down back onto the Green. The Procession was led by Carnival Kids, Leo the Lion, and The Smithdon and Northgate Marching Band. (The Carnival Queen was Elsie Garner; Princess – Courtney Robinson-Heath; Princess – Jude Falkner; Prince – Harry Kirk; Prince – Bradley Durham.)
Carnival Queen, Princess and Princes - photo by Stella Gooch
Winners of the Procession (with the Trophy being sponsored by Rounce and Evans), were announced as: 1st place – Hunstanton Conservative Club for their florally decorated float, 2nd place - Hunstanton’s Princess Theatre and 3rd place - Hunstanton Beavers. The WI parade entry and the Hunstanton Parent and Toddler Group were also “Highly Commended” .
Throughout the day there were entertaining displays from Tang Soo Doo, a street dance troupe, and Rolliinson Stage School Performance also put on a great show. The newly formed Hunstanton Choir gave a great first public performance with lively drums in the background. Pooch Corner Dog also put on a display during the afternoon.
Club/Pub Wars “Its a Knockout” was a lot of fun as in 2009. In all 12 teams took part. The games line up included: Tug of War; Egg on the Head Race; Sack Race and Football Ski Race. The overall winner of Club/Pub Wars plaque (sponsored by Martins Estate Agents) was The White Horse ( Holme) same as last year!!
2nd place: Princess Theatre - photo by Kerry Ibrom
Local bands also entertained on the green and at The Princess Theatre throughout the afternoon. Notably, The Princess Theatre also screened the World Cup so Carnival goers would not have to miss out!!
In Hunstanton Town Hall there were a number of craft stalls selling jewellery, quilted items, soft toys, pictures and refreshments. In addition, the Civic Society held their own stall to promote their agenda of preservation of Hunstanton. At the entrance to the Town Hall were the Hunstanton Rotary Club, which was founded in 1976 and currently has 33 members. The group meets every Wednesday at the Le Strange Arms in Old Hunstanton and raises funds for many charitable organisations including the Lavender Hill Mob, Snettisham Salvation Army, West Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Heacham Skateboard Association, Guide Dogs for the Blind, GOSHCC, a Sri Lankan orphanage and Lupus UK.
3rd place: Hunstanton Beavers - photo by Stella Gooch
The green seemed heaving with a variety of stalls offering fun and games. Some of the stalls on the green included the RNLI, Hunstanton Lions (coconut shy), Hunstanton Beavers (tombola and guess the name of the Beaver), Smithdon High School (tombola), Lavender Hill Mob (tombola and find the wine).
The Carnival Committee were very grateful for all the help they had received throughout the business community on the day. They were also appreciative of” Ashley Garner from Garner Stoves who sponsored the Classic car show and The Pier (CHS amusements and Bowlers) for providing the electricity and the Wash and Tope for the free loan of the PA system.
If you would like to see some more of the photos taken by Kerry Ibrom, Gel Topliss and myself during the Carnival click here.
Next Year’s Carnival will be on Sunday 26th June 2011 and the theme will be ‘parading through the ages’ - make a note in your diary now so you don’t miss it.
Commended: Hunstanton Toddlers Group - photo by Stella Gooch
Commended: WI Carnival Entry - photo by Stella Gooch
Tags: Hunstanton Carnival