Carnival proves a winner By Diane Nicholls
BIGGER than ever crowds helped to make Bearsted and Thurnham Carnival and Fayre a bumper success. The theme of this year’s fayre
was “Gold, Silver and Bronze” and the fancy dress parade in- cluded floats and walking groups highlighting the Olympics. The event was opened by mum-of-two Julia Lavington, of Roseacre Lane, Bearsted, who was chosen to carry the Olympic torch at Sevenoaks. Now in its 32nd year, the
fayre is expected to have raised thousands of pounds for local good causes. This year, its main beneficiary is the Grade I listed St Mary’s Church, in Thurnham, which has been undergoing es- sential repairs and restoration for the last three years. The carnival parade followed
its traditional route from Madg- inford, crossing Ashford Road, then heading along The Land- way to Bearsted Green, where the arena was surrounded by a huge variety of stalls. Eight-year-old Madeline Hill
was crowned the carnival princess andwill lead next year’s procession. Gabrielle Ellis and Hannah Whitenstall (both nine) were chosen as her deputies.
President and secretary Pat Marshall said: “We were very lucky with the weather. It started out grotty in the morn- ing, but turned into a beautiful sunny afternoon. We estimate that we had the biggest crowd there ever.” The final total raised will not
be known until September. Meanwhile, applications are in- vited by August 31 for dona- tions towards village amenities. Contact Pat Marshall on 01622 738455 or June Wilkins on 01622 737773.
Organiser JuneWilkins and compere MalcolmWithnall present a prize to Lauren Asekorne, 9, who designed the carnival programme
Prize winners Fancy dress: 1 Tomand Ben (Thomas the Tank Engine and the Fat Controller); 2 Amber Fel- stead (Olympic Torch); 3Molly Hepburn (cheerleader). Floats: 1 Harrier and Falcon Beavers (Pimpernel Pirates); 2 Third Bearsted Brownies (Tooth Fairies); 3 Fifth Bearsted Brownies (Olympicmedals). Highly commended – Three Bears Pre-School (Rowing for Gold) and First and Second Bearsted Rainbows (Pot of Gold); Hazlitt Panto Prize: Merlin Cubs (Rocketing); Best dressed stall: Bearsted and ThurnhamWI; Arena challenge: Bearsted Guides.
Above: Rainbows Pot
of Gold made a colourful entrance
Right: Fancy dress winners Tom and Ben
as Thomas the Tank Engine and the Fat Controller Below:
Madginford Pre-School
pupils dressed up as pirates
Left: Carnival queen Madeline Hill with princesses Gabrielle Elllis and Hannah Whitenstall. Above: Fancy dress contestants line up for judging. Right: Merlin Cubs with their out-of-this-world Rocketing float
22 East You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
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