BRIDGERULE Revel Week began with the hall full to capacity to see the crowning of the 2016 Revel Queen, Holly Trayford, by the previous year’s queen, Sophie Colwill. Holly had chosen Ella Hillier-Cholwill and Phoebe Lucas to be her attendants and Kalum Gliddon as page.

After Holly had declared the week officially open cream teas were served and sideshows opened for business.

Later a united service was held at St Bridget’s Church led by Rev Adams from Bude with Sheila Cholwill being the organist.

On Monday The Ladies Skittle Club held an Indoor Bowls/Skittles Challenge in the village hall. Seventeen teams entered and the eventual winners were Quilter’s Still Thinkin and runners-up, Pickets plus a Rickett.

Tuesday was Show Day with entries in the various produce and craft classes getting bigger each year under the direction of Rose Hitchings. For the first time a perpetual cup was given to the adult gaining the most points and a trophy to the child gaining the most points. The new cup was presented to Chris Hitchings, narrowly beating off the competition and despite a ‘disaster darling’ with his Victoria Sponge and Jessica Lewin, new to the village winning the children’s trophy.

In the evening saw the annual Fun Dog Show led by Julie and Ashley Pike of Breezlyn Kennels with Judge Charlene Prout. Various classes were held with the Best in Show being Foo led by Harriett and Reserve Best in Show, George led by James.

Friends of Bridgerule School organised the very popular Ramble on Wednesday. Over 200 left the hall in their wellies making their way to Tatson via Merrifield. Some enjoyed quad bikes rides and everyone arriving back to the hall by tractor and trailer. This was followed by a barbecue and a great raffle.

Thursday was prize bingo. This again was well supported and organised by the local football club.

A wine and wisdom quiz night on behalf of the Methodist Chapel was held on Friday with 19 teams taking part. The eventual winners were The Foreigners followed by a close second The Mixed Nuts.

This year saw the return of a Scarecrow Competition. It proved very popular and 18 scarecrows of various sizes and topics entered. The winning Scarecrow declared was The Olympic — Triathon Trudy, Flag Bearer entered by Brian and Lyndsey Beadle and The Best Idea Scarecrow was won by The South Family — English Fan found in Whales!

The Tallest Sunflower Competition winner was a 12’ 10” monster grown by The Gliddon Family with the Shortest Sunflower by Fran and Jill of Southfields.

Saturday was Carnival Day and blessed with lovely weather. Tableaux, fancy dress, classic cars and a visiting queen made their way to The Ham for Judging with a barbecue and various sideshows being held in the village.

Barnstaple Youth Band led the procession followed by the newly crowned Carnival Queen Holly and her attendants and page on their decorated tableaux through the village lined with a crowd of people keen to see those taking part in the procession.

Sheila Cholwill, chairperson, said that the carnival had marked the end of another special week for the village: “A wonderful community spirit had shone throughout the week with great support to all of the events. A special thank you must go to Holly, Ella, Phoebe and Kalum and their families. We wish them well as they represent the village when they visit other carnivals over the next year.”

The Revel Committee will present cheques to the Parish Church, Methodist Chapel, village hall and the primary school in a few weeks.

Carnival results: Fancy dress 5-8 — Sophie Colwill — Stig Academy. Fancy dress 9–11 — Lee Giles — Pokemon Go. Fancy dress children’s group — Jayden and Sam Linney, Storm and Tyler Piercey, Miles McTeighe — Avengers Assemble. Tableaux — Children’s open — 1st, Save the Bees — Stella Thompson, Hazel Durrant, Kacie and Caelen Greening; 2nd, Clowning Around for Carnival — The Hopper, Orchard and Uglow Famililes. Original — 1st, 60’s Flower Power — Tamarside Singers; 2nd, One’s 90th Birthday — Yvonne Chidley and friends. Humerous — 1st, Grump the Trump — Chris and Rose Hitchings. Trade — 1st, The Summer House — JJ Logs/CBL Stoves/J Medland Sawmills;2nd, Bobcat Hire — Colin Cholwill; 3rd, Kerry’s Butchers — Kerry Roberts Bradworthy. Classic cars — 1st, Ford Escort Mrk 1 — Neil Sullivan; 2nd, Ford Cortina Mrk 5 1982 — Chris Darwin; 3rd, Mini Cooper — Colin Short. Visiting Fairy Queen — Lily Moore with attendant Violet Moore — Holsworthy. Overall Winner — Trump the Grump — Chris and Rose Hitchings.