Restyled carnival bursts into life (From Dorset Echo)

Restyled carnival bursts into life

12:44pm Monday 18th August 2008 in

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WEYMOUTH'S new look, three-day carnival was under way today with events on the beach.

New organisers have given the carnival an overhaul involving events spread over three days.

It will come to a climax on Wednesday with the procession showpiece transformed from a convoy of motorised floats into a walking parade.

Today has been called Funday Monday with games set up for families on the beach.

Tomorrow, Weymouth Football Club is helping host football on the sand and Wednesday's programme includes the Red Arrows, Spitfires, the procession and fireworks.

Today's events from 10am include races, frisbee throwing, quizzes and a circus skills workshop the chance to learn to juggle.

The last event is a family fancy dress run setting off from the Pavilion at 7pm.

Weymouth FC's football in the community scheme invites girls and boys aged six to 14 for an all day programme tomorrow.

Some Terras players could make it down to see the action, starting at 10am.

The price is £2 with all players receiving a match ticket to watch Weymouth for free if accompanied by an adult and star players from each match will enter a draw to win one of the club's mascot packages. There will also be a sand sculpture competition and a taekwondo demonstration.

On carnival day itself on Wednesday, attractions will include two low-flying helicopters, a search and rescue demonstration, the London Fire Brigade parachute team and the Red Arrows at lunchtime.

Other aerial displays include the Battle of Britain Spitfire display team and the Guinot Wingwalkers.

There will also be a tug-of-war, a fire engine pull and a road traffic collision demonstration by Dorset Fire and Rescue.

The parade - with dozens of walking entrants - will start at 6pm before fireworks at 9.30pm.

At 10pm the carnival draw will reveal the winner of a new Mazda2 car.

Last autumn organiser Weymouth Round Table announced that it was stepping down after 50 years - but the Weymouth Community Volunteers saved the day.

They enlisted the help of Weymouth College, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and businesses in the Weymouth Beach Group to form a new carnival committee.

They made the decision to leave out lorry-based floats due to concerns over health and safety and insurance requirements.

n Weymouth's household recycling centre in Lodmoor will shut at 4pm on Wednesday due to the closure of Preston Road for the event.

The nearest alternative facilities are at Easton Lane, Portland and St George's Road, Dorchester, both open until 6pm.

Weymouth's recycling centre will open as usual on Thursday at 9am.