Bishop's Castle Carnival brings ray of sunshine

Bishop's Castle Carnival went with a swing at the weekend with a procession containing floats marking everything from the Queen's 90th birthday to the Battle of the Somme, as well as Morris dancers dressed as superheroes and farmers pushing a hospital bed.

It was followed by a celebration at the playing fields with a dog show, funfair, donkey rides, brass bands, the Marches Carnival Choir, vintage tractors, plus live music from Fight the Bear and others. Mayor of Bishop's Castle Karen Bavastock, who officially opened the carnival and led the procession along with town crier Jeff Aldridge, said: "The disappointment of last year's very wet carnival was forgotten and a good time was had by all."

Councillor Bavastock crowned carnival queen Donna Hughes, whose attendants were Joanna Longman, Kelsey and Miah Robertson.

Carnival princess Katie Barkley, whose attendant was Nicole Seaborne, was crowned by Aoife Houghton, last year's carnival princess.

On opening the carnival, Councillor Bavastock paid tribute to the work of all the volunteers involved in the event, 22 years ago since she was carnival queen herself.

Amanda Houghton, secretary of the carnival committee, added: "I would like to thank everyone involved in the carnival – so many people work together to make it such a great day."

First prize for the shop window display went to Jane Pugh of Jane's Petals, with Pugh's taking second and The Worx third.