THERE was a ‘fantastic turnout’ and ‘perfect weather’ for Bude Carnival on Saturday.

There were events throughout the day, which started off with presentations to the Citizen of the Year, Mary Rogers, and carnival ambassador Elizabeth Hobbs.

This was followed by the crowning of Bude princess Ella Marriott and Bude fairy queen Keira-Rose Harrington-Hardy. The attendants are Rosie Marriott and Daisy Dineen, and the princes Fynn Hulley and Laird Hulley.

There was live entertainment from Cresta, who played on the bandstand, and performances from CJs Dance and Amanda Brook School of Dance. There was also a surprise ‘flash mob’ performance by Bude Jive Club around Bude Light.

There was a clown performing circus tricks, the Toy Library was also on hand and there were various stalls.

Carnival president Margaret Frost, who runs the Rustic Tea Garden at Northcott Mouth, sold cream teas from ‘Marg’s Rust(ic)y caravan’, donating all money to carnival funds. Mrs Frost then went on to take part in the carnival procession in the caravan.

Secretary Louise Chambers said: “We had a fantastic turnout, the weather was perfect, beautiful sunshine, the Castle grounds were overflowing with people and you couldn’t move in town that many people turned out. There was a huge number of floats entered.

“We also had a record number of children entering the daytime fancy dress competition.”

After the fancy dress competition there was a children’s walking parade across the Strand and back across Nanny Moore’s Bridge led by the piper.

In the evening the carnival proceeded from the Lower Wharf through the town accompanied by Bude Town Band, North Devon Pipes and Drums and Barnstaple Youth Marching Band. Vamanos Brazilian Samba Band played in the Triangle.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week’s edition of the Post.