Hatherleigh Carnival 2021 was a resounding success

The floats have been returned to their sheds, the fires have been put out, the streets are empty once again, and just like that, Hatherleigh Carnival is over for another year.

The whole weekend in November was supported by people of all ages, and the weather was kind for the children’s afternoon procession. Carnival Queen Charlotte Reddaway and Princess Alicia-Rose Janowski were crowned by President Deb Laing-Trengove before a celebratory mini parade of all the entries at the Community Centre.

Streets were packed ahead of the kick-off of the main evening procession, with an impressive set of floats enter the evening procession, which once again filled the town with the usual display of colour, music, and laughter. The crowds stayed busy for the second run of the flaming tar barrels (the first one being at 5am), which were followed by even more live music from Eat The Rich, James Monkman, and Hatherleigh favourites, Lionstar.

The decorated House and Decorated Shop Window competitions were also great successes, congratulations to the winners: Decorated Shop Windows: 1, One Market Street Cafe; 2, Sapphire Framing; 3, Salar Gallery. Decorated Houses: 1, Sam, Adam, Anya and Jonah Hill with ‘Hather-sea’; 2, Hatherleigh Community Primary School with story book characters; 3, Marion Southwick in conjunction with Beachwood Trinkets with ‘Woodland Wonders’.

Despite making the difficult decision to suspend the usual judging this year, a virtual vote was held for the Jacky Entwistle Cup for ‘Best Visual Impact’ with members of the public voting via an online link. With over 650 votes cast, the top three were: 1, Hatherleigh Housewives Unlocked, Hatherleigh Jolly Boys; 2, Clarkson’s Farm, Emma Edwards-Brady; 3, Mad Max, Deb Laing-Trengove (Carnival President 2021).

The date for the 2022 carnival will be Saturday, November 12 and the carnival’s annual meeting will be held in March.