FOR the first time for many years the Astwood Bank Carnival 2019 festivities will go from Friday evening right through to Sunday afternoon, with lots of activities for all of the family to enjoy.
The bumper weekend kicks off on the Friday night, July 12 with a barn dance in the Carnival marquee from 7.30pm at SE Davis in Edgioake Lane.
Music will come from the Life of Riley band, local magician Sam Wilson will be entertaining everyone, and while food will be provided by carnival supporters Little India.
Tickets cost £10 and can only be purchased in advance via email to [email protected].
Saturday morning will start with numerous lorries, kindly donated by Studley firm Allelys, receiving their final decorative treatments before being judged by local MP Rachel Maclean and Redditch Mayor Roger Bennett, along with Sue Davis of SE Davis.
They will then leave the SE Davis field at noon in a prcession led by this year’s Carnival Royalty of Poppy Marshall (Queen), accompanied by Princesses, Orla Harrington, Rebecca Davis, and Daisy Stewart-Clarke in a horse drawn landau donated by Thomas Brothers.
Carnival Royalty will have received a professional make-over from Tete a Tete hairdressers, who have been performing this service for Carnival for 25 years.
As well as the floats there will be music from Shirley Pipe Band and the Redditch Air Cadets Band.
In turn these will be joined by the walking groups at Astwood Bank Primary School.
The walking groups will have been judged by Father Glenn from St Matthias and St George church, and Harry Leach from the Redditch Standard.
As the procession returns to SE Davis the Carnival field will be packed with stalls, and people will be entertained throughout the afternoon by activities such as donkey rides, fairground attractions, a fun dog show organised by Maisie’s Pet Boutique (waggiest tail, cutest pup, best veteran etc), the very popular beer and Pimms tents, as well as the tea tent.
Local folk/rock band Wychwood will be performing in the beer tent.
Plus there will be fencing, wrestling, music and dance. The arena displays will commence at 2pm with a performance by the Lucy Jane School of Dance.
Carnival Royalty will then be formally crowned followed by the announcement of the best in show float or walking group.
Redditch Music School will also be performing and fingers are crossed there will be a flypast by a Spitfire flown by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
