LAST-minute preparations are underway for this year’s Winterbourne Down Village Carnival.
The Carnival Queen and King, and four attendants, have been selected by the organising committee using a random “whizzy wheel” and are ready to lead this year’s parade on the morning of Monday, May 6.
This year’s Carnival Queen is Emmy Bell of Elm Park Primary School, while the King is Sohrab Rostam-Shirazi, who also attends Elm Park.
Their attendants are Finn Smedley and Olivia White from Hambrook Primary School, Isabella Millard from St Michael’s CofE Primary School and Ruby Millard, of Elm Park.
Committee spokesperson Kathryn Hopes said: “We’re expecting bumper footfall this year, as the Iron Acton celebrations are not happening.
“With this in mind, we have arranged for extended parking restrictions in the village, especially on Harcombe Hill and Down Road, from the Badminton Road approach.
“This will increase pedestrian safety and ensure traffic flows easier.”
Extra parking – short walk from start of procession
The organisers have arranged for extra parking to be available at Winterbourne Academy’s sports centre in Flaxpits Lane, and at the Greenfield Centre in Park Avenue, which is a seven-minute walk from Bradley Avenue, where the carnival precession is due to start at 10am.
Kathryn said: “The procession is hoping to see a variety of costumes. The theme this year is ‘films’, so it’s easy-peasy, and it’s open to all ages!”
The fancy dress competition will be judged by representatives from the carnival’s chosen charity, Suicide Prevention, on the Methodist church green in Down Road, at the end of the procession.
Kathryn said: “We’ve been inundated with stall bookings this year – if only Down Road was longer!
“Come prepared to see a great selection of live entertainment and music, have your taste buds ready to experience foods from all cuisines and be ready to shop a variety of stalls, from upcycled artefacts, sweets and treats to jewellery and plants, naming just a few.
“Just one final request…please can everyone keep their fingers and toes crossed for dry weather, dare I say it but the appearance of the sun would be the icing on the cake!”
Two events on Sunday
The parade follows two carnival events on Sunday May 5, the first of which is a maypole trail and treasure hunt starting at 2pm.
Youth groups and schools have decorated maypoles which will be on display throughout the village, with maps available from Winterbourne Methodist church.
Later in the evening, at 6pm, Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir will sing at the carnival’s Songs of Celebration event, also at the Methodist church.
For more details visit winterbournedowncarnival.co.uk or the carnival Facebook page.