New era carnival hailed a success

8:52am Thursday 21st August 2008

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DESPITE the odds Weymouth's new carnival organisers were celebrating after their new-look procession survived the weather.

The Weymouth Community Volunteers took control for the first time and designed a new 'green' walking procession after traditional lorry-based floats were lost over health and safety issues.

Volunteers' chairman Sue Follan said: "Earlier on we were thinking 'what have we done' but now we know we'd do it again.

"When the procession started we saw real community spirit helping it happen - so there's your real carnival.

"It's been absolutely great with groups standing alongside others whose music had broken down.

"We had individuals, disabled, young and old so it's been fantastic - we don't need floats."

Mrs Follan said around 400 people joined the walking parade in 55 different groups while an estimated 60,000 people soaked up the party atmosphere.

She added: "It's Weymouth's biggest event and it's going to stay that way.

"It is onwards and upwards and we want more people in the community to come out with their ideas and join us to make it bigger and better.

"Our 340 volunteers have made it all possible, and I can't thank them enough."

Volunteers had an early start when they decorated the Osmington White Horse for a day with bright pink legs and head.

The wacky scheme involved pink bedsheets and bubble-wrap being added to the landmark at 4am.

The groups in the procession included majorettes, belly dancers, footballers, martial arts clubs, a marching band and men dressed as angels on motorised skates.

Ronald Steadman, 85, of Ludlow Road, Weymouth was filming the procession to show to elderly residents of care homes in the borough who could not watch it live.

He said: "Having been here for 17 years I know these people are devoted to it.

"I am still joyous and very proud about the events in Weymouth."

Not everyone was impressed with this year's attempt.

Dave Clark, 49, of Chickerell Road, said: "It was too short and too small.

"I feel very sad for Weymouth that it's been reduced but I do admire the people who have made the effort."

Heavy rain an hour and a half before the start of the parade threatened to turn the procession into a washout.

Tourism spokesman Steve Davies hailed the new organisers.

He said: "They have had half a year's planning time when the Round Table used to have their first meeting the week after the event to plan ahead."

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Tim Munro said it was an ace week' for the borough with the new-look carnival and the Olympic handover on Sunday.

He said: "In some ways it's not different as we've got as many people as we've always had although the procession has changed.

"It's a green carnival with more community involvement and that's the way forward."

Earlier in the day overcast skies were brightened by colourful plumes of smoke as Weymouth Carnival got off to a soaring start.

A team of Red Arrows pilots held seafront crowds spellbound as they dipped and dived through some low-lying clouds above Weymouth Bay. Mostly visible during their half-hour display, the jets travelled at speeds of 400 miles per hour - flying into sun ray and arrow formations.

Tightly-executed near-collisions drew gasps from onlookers.

Joan Drayton, from Yeovil, said: "I thought the display was beautiful and absolutely stunning.

"That was the first time I've seen the Red Arrows and the first time I've been to Weymouth Carnival - I think it's wonderful."

Other displays laid on to entertain carnival-goers earlier in the day included demonstrations by the London Fire Brigade parachute team and The Blades display team.

A Battle of Britain Spitfire display turned back the clock as a lone Spitfire Mk 2A weaved through the clouds following an air raid siren.

Amid the fun of carnival day, groups and organisations used the opportunity to get across some serious messages.

This was the second year the Shire Alcohol and Drug Outreach Workers Service (Shadow) has had a presence at carnival.

Among their display were moving models of human lungs and spinning wheels showing the number of alcohol units in drinks.

Project manager Gina Forbes said: "We are trying to engage with people aged 18 and under and offer them advice about drugs, smoking and sexual health."

St John Ambulance volunteers and South West Ambulance workers were stationed among the crowds to ensure people remained safe.

In the morning they attended to one person who fainted in the crowd and administered first aid to people with cuts and bruises on the beach.

Paramedic Wayne Davis said: "St John Ambulance had 30 people on site and we had two men on bikes, two response cars and three ambulances."

Stalls offering farmyard animal cuddly toys as prizes, flight simulators and fast food refreshment stands all attracted vast interest.

Weymouth dad Lloyd Honnor, 48, has been going to carnival since he was one. He said: "The carnival has changed a lot - it's bigger now, but there's too much stuff being sold."

Volunteer Amy Bartlett, 21, was persuaded to help sell raffle tickets by her granddad George Dyer.

She said: "A lot of my friends have got involved in various carnival activities. This is the fourth year I helped out - there's a great atmosphere."

Carnival Queen Jamie Asquith also lent a hand by selling raffle tickets and posing for photos for charity donations.

She said: "It was an early start getting my hair and make-up done. I've been a bit cold in my dress because of this weather. I've been mingling with other people who are taking part in the carnival and it's been a very busy day so far."

Sporting competitions held on Weymouth beach included penalty shoot-outs run by Weymouth Football Club and a tug of war competition.

Carnival fans Ken and Val Wicks, of Chickerell, have been going to the event every year for the past five years.

Mrs Wicks said: "There's such a nice atmosphere and so many people come from all over. You can see all the work they put into it - so much effort is involved and everyone keeps working hard through the day so we all have a good time."