GALLERY and VIDEO: Crowds enjoyed the sunshine and the float parade at Doddington Carnival

THE crowds were out in force for Doddington carnival celebrations on Saturday, when the whole village seemed to be out in the sunshine to join in the fun.

As the theme of the day was characters from children’s books, Peppa Pig, Harry Potter and a variety of fairy tale characters took to the streets for the colourful float parade, before the crowds enjoyed a packed afternoon of activities at the recreation ground.

Anna Holland from the carnival committee said: “We had a fantastic day, with a brilliant turn out. Doddington really did us proud, with spectators lining the parade route and then coming to the field for the afternoon.”

The day kicked off with a fancy dress competition and float judging, and the parade was led by the Caledonian Pipe Band and the carnival prince and princess, Nicholas Lambert and Sophie Gillett.

As well as the decorated floats, the parade included tractors and a traction engine, historic military vehicles, classic buses and cars, music from the Steel Drum Siesta and Bondy, and the Dance and Twirl Dance Troupe.

At the recreation field there were children and adult races, along with the popular soap box derby, stalls, side shows, a bungee run, and teas provided by the Women’s Institute.

This year’s scarecrow competition - also with the theme of childrens’ book characters - attracted 12 entries.

Results: Floats: senior winner, The Fursty Friends; runner up, Mad Mums & Chums; junior winner, Lionel Walden School, runner up, Doddington Cubs, Beavers and Scouts.

Fancy Dress: adult winner, The Umpa Lumpa’s; adult runner up, Tara Fiveash; senior winner, Alex Buxton; senior runner up, Ellea Cutteridge; junior winner, Tommie Grange, junior runner up, Dani Kingston.

Scarecrow winner, the Duncan- Finn Family; soap box race, 1 Adam Woolfall, 2 Josh Weatherill, 3 Callum Manze.

Boys’ race winners, under 4s, Aiden Norris; 4-5 years Ben Buxton; 6-7 years Finley Paul; 8-9 years William Paul; 10-11 years George Paul; 12-13 years Ross Groves; 14-16 years Archie Palmer; junior marathon George Paul; senior marathon Ryan Price; Curtis Achievement Cup Tony Kilby; dad’s race Richard Moye.

Girls’ race winners: under 4s Annabelle Patching; 4-5 years Kacey Dring; 6-7 years Kaitlin Holland; 8-9 years Abbie Stocker; 10-11 years Abigail Moreman; 12-13 years Genevieve Tibbett; 14-16 years Danielle Hope; junior marathon Megan Dawson; senior marathon, Megan Roberts; mum’s race, Bridgett Patching.