Children on one of the floats at Wokingham Winter Carnival
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Winter Carnival lights up town
By Alice MurphyDecember 02, 2009
Winter magic touched the town at this year’s Wokingham Winter Carnival.
Rain-soaked but hardy carnival-goers enjoyed a day of cartoon heroes and imaginary creations, watching the procession and joining in Christmas carols.
But the parade was hanging in the balance on carnival morning after companies which had pledged to lend lorries to tow the floats pulled out.
In true superhero style Scarlet Couriers and BTC Vehicle Rentals stepped in to save the day
Parade organiser Gwynneth Hewetson said: “I had to go down to BTC dressed as Minnie Mouse on the morning of the carnival because although we had enough lorries, they weren’t big enough. The lorry people were superb.”
Stalls filled Market Place, Peach Street, Denmark Street and Broad Street, and fairground rides Morris dancers, puppet shows and Santa’s grotto kept visitors entertained.
Fearless Tony Christian flung himself off scaffolding with his hourly Daredevil Stunt Show in Peach Street.
But crowning glory was the procession.
Lady Elizabeth Godsal, High Steward of Wokingham, was chauffeured around the route in a purple Cadillac.
She emerged from the car resplendent in a Penelope Pitstop blonde wig and pink sunglasses.
The first float was Wokingham and Emmbrook Football Club, who had created a monster-themed display inspired by Scooby Doo.
Floats packed with Snow White, Toy Story characters, snowmen, soldiers and Finchampstead Scouts-turned-superheroes cheered and waved to the crowds.
Superheroes from Westende Junior School won the best float contest, with Wokingham and Emmbrook Football Club and Finchampstead Scouts in second and third respectively.
While the crowds waited for the parade, businesses held a Space Hopper race in Denmark Street which was won by Romans estate agents.
Town Mayor Cllr UllaKarin Clark officially switched on the town’s Christmas illuminations followed by a carol concert.
Carnival organiser Stan Hetherington said: “It was good to see more people dressing up.
“When the sun did come out it was great.
“I gauge the crowds by the depth of people standing in Denmark Street and Market Place during the parade and it was still really busy.
“Rome was not built in a day and we are still building up a carnival tradition but it gets better every year.”
For more photos see today’s Wokingham Times.
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