WITH Holsworthy Carnival fast approaching, Holsworthy and District Lions are looking to invite the oldest living carnival queen to be special guest at this year’s event.

Last years carnival proved to be difficult for organisers as they had no applications for queen— but this year has seen two local girls already taking up the positions.

This year’s carnival plans to return to an old tradition that ceased in the ’50s, where the crowning of queen Alice Healy and fairy queen Lilly More will take place on the balcony of the White Hart Hotel on the night of the carnival.

Traditionally the judging of carnival royalty is done by local dignitaries; the mayor, the town crier, the portreeve, the pretty maid, and the freeman of the town of Holsworthy. The Lions would like to invite the oldest living local carnival queen to join the other dignitaries as guest of honour at this year’s carnival.

There have already been a number of individuals identified for the role. Lions’ treasurer John Cottle’s mother Edith Nancy Lyle, as she was back then, was the carnival queen in 1948 — during that year there were two carnivals, a summer and winter event, and she was the ‘November Queen’.

The ‘Summer Queen’ was her friend Stephanie Evans, who currently lives in Berkshire and has sent her regards to this year’s event.

Edith still lives in Holsworthy and is 85, making her the most likely candidate for the role of guest of honour this year.

The Lions would like to know if there is anybody who lives locally who is older than Edith and invite them to join the other dignitaries as guest of honour at this year’s carnival. Anybody with any information should contact Lion Robin Mitchell at [email protected].

Anyone interested in taking part in this year event, can find more information on the Lions website at www.holsworthylions.co.uk. Additional information can be found by contacting carnival organisers at [email protected]