Archived News - Fairy Tales
Carnival - with special thanks to Peter Bennett
You will have seen elsewhere in Focus that, as a result of this year's Carnival, a magnificent £11,750 has been distributed among a range of local good causes by the Organising Committee. In the August issue of Focus thanks were expressed to the Committee who helped organised the event but this did not adequately recognise the importance of the work done by the Committee's Chairman, Peter Bennett. Once again this year, Peter acted as a guiding light over the Carnival preparation and conduct, just as he has done for the previous four years.
After five years as Chairman, and 20 years altogether on the Carnival Committee, Peter is standing down, partly for health reasons, so it is fitting to record the thanks of the Committee and all who have benefited from his leadership role over this time. Peter, our thoughts and prayers are with you and Eileen and we anticipate that you will, as usual, exceed our expectations running the Silent Auction at next year's Carnival.
So who will Chair the Carnival Committee next year? Well, with apologies to those who thought they had seen the back of me five years ago, I have agreed to take on the challenge once again - and, given the current economic situation, I guess it will be a challenge this year. But with your support, whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, we will make the day an enjoyable one. Some decisions have been made - the event will be on Edlesborough Green on Saturday 4 July with a theme of 'Books' - so enormous scope for dressing up.
Already we are exploring some exciting new attractions, which you will hear more about next year; but at this stage I am keen to emphasise that the Carnival Committee never has been an exclusive group of people and to invite anyone who would like to help in any way, big or small, to get in touch with me. Perhaps you would like to serve on the Committee, or help on the day, maybe you can offer a prize that we could use in our Grand Draw or Silent Auction, perhaps you have ideas for or access to, new attractions, or have access to equipment that we could use - vehicles, marquees, walkie-talkies, disposables. If so, please contact me, Gordon Gray. I am not known for turning offers of help away!
The success of the Carnival comes down to everyone in this community. Let's all help to make our Carnival a day to remember once again.
Source: Focus, November 2008
Carnival 2008 – Fairy Tales
I'm sure you will agree that our Carnival just goes from strength to strength. What a community event. Right up until the Day itself I thought we would all get very wet - how wrong I was. We need a little while longer to calculate how much was taken but it looks to be around £11,000 - another remarkable achievement - well done everybody.
All the results will be found on the Carnival website and so it is my pleasure to thank all those that attended, all that decorated their houses and all those who gave goods, time and cash to ensure the Carnival's success. Thanks also to the Right Revd Graeme Knowles, Dean of St Paul's Cathedral for opening the event and for judging the floats.
Finally, thanks to my magnificent Committee of Chris and Sheila Banks, Roger Cook, Sonia Dean, Katrina Grant, Gordon Gray, Theo Gray, Bernadette Hillman, Norman and Ann Lee, David Marriage, Heather Martin, Tony Morreale, Mark Saccoccio, Lin Sargeant, Rebecca Shaw, Vince Taylor, Peter Thomas, and Roger Wilkinson.
If you have a favourite local good cause that you would like to be considered for a grant from the proceeds of this year's event, or if you would like to be involved in the running of Carnival 2009, please or contact me through the website www.stmarysvillagecarnival.com.
-- Peter Bennett - Chairman
Carnival Competition Winners- 2008
We had some fantastic prizes in our Fairy Tales Carnival and here are details of just some of the lucky winners. You can find much more information and see our huge range of photos of all the fun on our carnival website on www.stmarysvillagecarnival.com.
Source: Focus, August/Sepember 2008
St Mary's Village Carnival - Photographs
This year's Carnival was another great success.
"Thank you to everyone who helped make Saturday's Carnival so fantastic. As a community event it was quite unsurpassed."
Results and photos are now on the Carnival website.
St Mary's Village Carnival - 5th July 2008
Carnival fun is coming to Eaton Bray and Edlesborough on Saturday, July 5 - the biggest event of the year in the villages.
This year, St Mary's Village Carnival will be opened by the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, the Rt Rev Graeme Knowles. The dean, a former Dunstable Grammar School pupil, will officially launch the annual event at 1pm at Edlesborough Green, the Carnival site.
All sorts of entertainment has been lined up, and with more than 50 stalls, there is sure to be something for everyone.
A colourful carnival procession on a Fairy Tales theme starts off the fun, led by a steel band and majorettes. More than a dozen fancy dress floats and 30 vintage vehicles will start out from The Orchards, Eaton Bray, at 12 noon and make their way to Edlesborough Green. Neighbours living along the route decorate their houses in line with the carnival theme, to take part in the Best Dressed House contest.
Stalls at the carnival site will open for business at 12 noon.
Carnival entertainment will include a worm charming contest, chainsaw carving, martial arts, a big classic vehicles display and craft demonstrations. Other attractions will include birds of prey, an annual dog show, dancers, majorettes, basket-making and bee-keeping experts, giant inflatables, rides and a Big Wheel.
Clarabelle, the pantomime cow, will again be taking part in a contest, in which people have to guess where she will leave a special 'deposit' in the arena.
Last year, the carnival raised a record-breaking £11,000. Half of the money gathered in each year goes to the St Mary's Church Fabric Fund, and the remainder goes to charities and other good causes.
This year the East of England Air Ambulance Service will be the main worthy cause benefiting from that share of the proceeds.
To find out more, check out the Carnival website at www.stmarysvillagecarnival.com.
St Mary's Village Carnival - 5th July 2008
Get ready for the big day!
That's what our Carnival Queen, princess and attendants will soon be doing, so make sure you turn out to see the girls in their finery and support them on their big day.
Seated in front: Carnival Princess, Jemma Flitton aged 8 from Northall, Carnival Queen Holly Potton aged 10 from Edlesborough.
Standing at back: Attendants Devon Brown, aged 8 and Isabel Dorrance, aged 8 both from Northall.
Goods Collection Day 12.00noon - 2.00pm, Sunday 8th June at Eaton Bray Village Hall: Clear out your attic and those unwanted gifts, get rid of clutter and donate it all to the carnival. Once again we are having a goods collection day. Drop off unwanted items (good quality only please and no large pieces of furniture please) when you visit Eaton bray hall for the Open Gardens Day.
Come and Join Us!
Don't miss our fantastic carnival -you can help us raise money for the Air Ambulance Service and a host of other local charities and good causes by being there on the day. Better still, come and join our team of helpers. You don't need to make a big commitment, but if you can spare even an hour to help, we'll find you a job, and guarantee a welcome and a very friendly team. Contact us on the website - www.stmarysvillagecarnival.com, or at the Goods Collection day.
Source: Focus, June 2008
Carnival Countdown!
Spring Clean for Carnival
Unwanted items lurking in the back of a cupboard? We need good quality unwanted goods - please contact us on the carnival website for collection.
Give us a Hand!
We desperately need more helpers to make carnival day the great event we all love. Please get in touch via the web if you can help us.
Get Your Kit on!
Join the procession with a Fancy Dress Float for your group - book via the carnival website. We also want lots of people walking in the procession in costume. www.stmarysvillagecarnival.com
Source: Focus, May 2008
Carnival Queen
The Carnival Queen, Princess and Attendants were chosen this morning in Eaton Bray Village Hall.
The 2008 Carnival Queen will be Holly Potton. She will be aided by Carnival Princess Jemma Flitton and Attendants Isabel Dorrence and Devon Brown.
The St Mary's Village Carnival will be held on 5th July 2008 with a theme of Fairy Tales, and this year High Street Hair of Eaton Bray will style the hair of the Queen, Princess and attendants.
St Mary's Village Carnival - 5th July 2008
Fairy Tales! - make them come true on Saturday 5th July!
Dressing up for the theme gives our carnival its special atmosphere. Remember the fancy dress float procession and make sure your group books for the parade - we can
help you find a lorry for the parade - contact us on www.stmarysvillagecarnival.com for more information, and let's have more people in wonderful costumes on foot. Make sure you don't miss the best event of the year and help us raise funds for the Air Ambulance Service which provides a vital lifesaving service for our community.
Book a Stall - guaranteed a busy day of trading!
To book a pitch for your group or organisation at the biggest fete in Buckinghamshire, contact Chris Banks and you could rake in the profits. Give your stall the edge by dressing up for our theme...Fairy Tales!
Advertise your business - and reach your customers!
Our carnival programme is widely distributed and read by several thousand households and many local businesses advertise regularly in this publication.
You can book adverts at a competitive price to reach your customers. Contact us through our website for details.
Carnival Queen 2008!
The Carnival Queen, princess and attendants will be chosen at Eaton Bray Village hall on Sunday 27 April at 11.15am. Girls aged from 8 to 13 in the congregation of St Mary's Church or who live in Edlesborough, Eaton Bray, Dagnall or Northall may apply. Application forms are available from Yvonne Ranson.
Completed forms to be returned by Sunday 20 April.
Wanted... Helpers to join our team!
Get into the great community spirit of our villages and help us have a fabulous carnival. If you've never experienced it, come and get involved- you'll get even more out of it and make new friends. Contact Peter Bennett.
Help especially needed for Friday evening and clearing up on Saturday at 5pm.
Source: Focus, April 2008
Carnival 2008 - 5th July - "Fairy Tales"
Wave that magic wand and banish winter gloom! Summon your Fairy Godmother and get ready for a touch of magic! St Mary's Village Carnival is on 5th July 2008 - and this year's theme is Fairy Tales!
Last year's carnival raised over £11,000 for charities - a record breaking sum and that's our target for 2008. With your help we can do it! This year's chief beneficiary will be the Air Ambulance Service. Our VIP guest to open the carnival is The Dean of St Paul's Cathedral (London), the Right Revd Graeme Knowles, originally a local lad whose father was headmaster of Eaton Bray School. The event starts with the procession of floats, then on to Edlesborough Green for a day of fun, entertainment and a huge number of stalls.
Join us - we need more helpers and with a variety of jobs there's sure to be something you can do. Contact Peter Bennett, chairman
Run a stall for your local group, business or charity - Our carnival is the biggest event of its kind in Bucks, so you'll get lots of trade.
We will shortly be writing to local organisations (clubs, societies, charities etc.) who might be interested in taking a fund raising stall at the Carnival. However, it is sometimes difficult to keep mailing lists & contact details current, so if your organisation has not heard from us by the end of February or you are desperate to book a pitch, please download a Booking Form from the Carnival Website: www.stmarysvillagecarnival.com
Carnival Queen - Girls aged between 8 and 13 who live in Edlesborough, Eaton Bray, Dagnall or Northall or who are in the congregation of St Mary's Church may enter. More details on the Carnival Queen page.
Source: Focus, February 2008