DESPITE the appalling bad weather last Friday evening, around 50 people gathered at Clease Hall, Camelford, to see the crowning of this year’s chosen carnival royalty, Savannah McConnell.

Savannah was elected to represent Camelford in 2016 and entered again in September and won the vote so will represent the town for a second year. The compere for the evening was Dave Goodman, chairman of the Camelford Carnival Committee.

The Camelford Town Band yet again gave an outstanding concert under their musical director, Stephen Wagstaff, which featured many of their soloists, one of which was Lewis Baker, who gave his rendition of the euphonium solo, Cornish Sunset.

After the band gave their performance, Louise Provis had the honour of crowning this year’s carnival royalty. Also in attendance were seven previous carnival queens — Trixie Duke, Sally Moore, Madge Walkey, Linda Hockin, who was visiting from Australia, Sally Rickard, Sue Hunt and Louise Provis — making for a very special evening.

The grand carnival procession will take place this coming Saturday, October 28, starting at 7pm. Members of the carnival committee are looking forward to the night with confidence and optimism, so come along and get involved, whether it’s dressing up and entering as a walker or walking tableau, better still building a float or at least grabbing a bucket and collecting money for this year’s beneficiaries, Camelford Memory Café and Camelford Christmas Lights.

Carnival secretary, Marney Baker, said: “I am delighted with the support this evening and all the local businesses that gave their support to the carnival programme. All I am hoping for now is a dry evening on Saturday.”