DESPITE the onset of heavy rain just as the procession was setting off large crowds braved the downpour last Saturday evening, November 19, to watch Holsworthy’s annual carnival, writes Christine Williams.

With Rowland’s funfair in full swing on the Manor car park and the Samba Band entertaining in the Square, it was as ever a colourful, enjoyable and well-supported event.

While the floats and visiting ‘Royalty’ from Bradworthy, Bridgerule, Hatherleigh and Launceston were assembling for judging at the industrial estate, the evening began with the crowning of Holsworthy’s Carnival Queen, 13-year-old Katie Hollis, and Fairy Queen, 10-year-old Lara Hill, on the balcony of the White Hart.

Shortly after 7.30pm the procession set off for the town centre to be joined as they passed the football field by the walking characters and the Bideford Youth Pipe Band.

Young Farmers from Bradworthy, Buckland Brewer, Clawton, Launceston, Lewdown, Stratton and Winkleigh provided many of the floats and it was good to see the Holsworthy cubs and beavers as well as members of Holsworthy youth centre participating.

The world of entertainment provided themes for many of the floats. From television there was ‘Avengers Assemble’, ‘Mrs Brown’s Boys’, ‘Dad’s Army’ and ‘I’m a Young Farmer…Get Me Out of Here’. From the theatre there was ‘Join the Circus’ and from Disney ‘The Jungle Book’, ‘ Under the Sea’ and ‘Up’, complete with a house that rose and fell.

A ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ float represented Roald Dahl, in the centenary year of his death, and another float depicting several of his stories. An energetic group of would-be ‘Cleopatras’ danced their way around the streets to ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ and there was an impressive steam engine and carriage made of red crepe and wood under the title ‘All Aboard!’

Thanks were given to the Holsworthy and District Lions for organising the carnival for the third time and keeping the spirit of carnival alive in Holsworthy.

Ted England, carnival committee chairman, said: “Despite the weather it has been a very successful carnival with an excellent turn-out. All the walking children who took part received a medal, which, I hope will encourage more of them to join in next year. I am grateful for the fantastic support we have received."