ORGANISERS of Dorchester’s successful carnival weekend have thanked the town for its support.

Crowds turned out in force in the sunshine to enjoy the community celebrations.

It was a new era for the Carnival after the Dorchester Round Table stepped down from organising the event last year following more than 40 years of running the event.

Carnival chairman John Palmer took on the event with the help of a dedicated committee and thanked all those that helped make it a success.

Mr Palmer said: “Dorchester Carnival is an event for the community put on by volunteers who give up lots of their free time.

“As with any event that is put on in the town, there is more than it seems that has to be done to make anything work.

“So I would like to thank all the people that helped make Dorchester Carnival happen as without these companies, organisations and councils we would not be able to put it on.

“So I would like to say a big thanks to Jewsons, Quickfast, C.G. Fry & Sons, Wynns Funn Fair and Brewery Square as well as Dorchester Town Council, West Dorset District Council and the clubs that helped run the events – Dorchester Rotary, Casterbridge Rotary, Dorchester Round Table and Mmm... Nice Music and of course Georgina for putting up with me for the last few months.”

Mr Palmer said he wanted to thank the people and groups who entered floats for the movie-themed procession.

The floats to impress the judges were the Dorchester Rainbows and Lyme Regis Majorettes with the Dorchester Community Nursery School being awarded the overall winner.

Mr Palmer said: “They were great, it was a great day and I am very happy with it. Carnivals are all about putting smiles on children’s faces.”

Mr Palmer said he hoped the community would show its support for next year’s Carnival and said it was an opportunity for anyone who had ideas about how to improve or change the event to have an input during the planning stage.

He said: “People of Dorchester should get behind the carnival and come along to the meetings so they can help change the event for the better, the framework is there for this event to move forward with the support of the community.

“I wish the next person who takes on running the carnival all the best.