Shifnal turns out for carnival fun

Thousands of people lined the streets to watch the annual parade of floats.

The fun fair attracted visitors from across the region who took part in traditional games which catered to people of all ages.

Businesses opened especially for occasion and all praised the event for helping to bring trade.

Simon Turner, 40, of Victoria Court, said: "I've lived in Shifnal for the 37 years and I've never missed the carnival.

"The parade comes past our house and everyone meets on the front lawn.

"It's grown over the years and now we have up to 40 people who all meet up.

"Sometimes we won't see people for 12 months but we always meet up for the carnival.

"The carnival is as popular as ever and it's a great tradition. It has been under threat a few times but we all hope it continues for many more years."

Diane Biddulph, 54, had travelled all the way down to Shifnal from Falkirk, in Scotland, to meet up with family and friends.

She said: "Traditional carnivals and fairs like this are great because they bring all the community together.

"The events are dying out up in Scotland because of a lack of finance but things like this are great for local businesses.

"It's a great day out in Shifnal and it's brilliant how everyone supports the carnival."

Shifnal Town Councillor Graham Weaver, 75, has been coming to the festival since the 1950s.

He said: "I was born and bred in Shifnal and when I lived on Broadway the parade would always come past our house.

"The carnival is brilliant and it's great the town keeps the tradition going.

"Some of the people who visit I only meet once a year and lots of visitors come to Shifnal just for this event.

"The carnival was in trouble not so long ago but we're all so glad enough volunteers came forward to keep it going.

"The people who run it put in so much hard work and we'd all like to thank them for their efforts."

Food and drink stalls lined up alongside donkey rides and a fun fair to keep the huge crowds entertained through the day.

Graham Driver, who runs Kel's Donkey and Pony ride, has been coming to Shifnal from Shenstone, in Lichfield, for the last seven years.

He said: "It's really good for business here. We travel to events all over the country and we really enjoy coming back to this one.

"We bring six donkeys and rotate two at a time to give them a break. We'll definitely be coming back next year."

Aminur Rahman, from the Royal Bengal, in Broadway, Shifnal, was part of a team that offered food during the day and into the evening.

He said: "This is the first year I have personally been involved but the restaurant has been here since 1979 and it's always sold food at the carnival.

"It's nice bit of trade for us and we open specially for the event. It's something we always look forward to.

"We sell snacks like pakoras, bhajis and then main meals like chicken tikka and chicken bhuna with pilau rice.

"We'll be here until 10pm and we'll open the restaurant as normal so it's a long day but we look for to the extra trade."