Wedding party and wacky races

A Royal Wedding party was hosted by the Working Men’s Club and co-organised by the Carnival Association on Friday.

Nearly 200 people enjoyed picnics and barbecue at tables decorated with bunting and flags.

Families joined with club members in dancing and karaoke, and with the weather being kind for the afternoon, a good time was had by all according to spokesperson Samantha Guard.

She reports: “Treasurer Derek Savage decided to bite the bullet and have his flowing hair cut off and raised £113 for the Carnival’s charity – Children with Cancer; he quickly put a baseball cap on to ‘keep out the wind’.”

The weekend was used for everyone to put finishing touches to various carts and prams destined for the annual Pram Race, which was held on Monday.

Sam said: “Although the breeze was very strong on the recreation ground, the enthusiasm didn’t diminish and by the time the Carnival committee had finished putting up marquees and getting the barbecue going, the ground was filled with extraordinary ‘vehicles’ and superb fancy dress.

“The tote was run by ‘Del Boy’ and did good steady trade, the meat raffle took £103, people ‘took shelter from the wind’ in the bar, and young and not so young alike ran their hearts out round a course with a few tricky obstacles.

“After the second race, Judges Jane Fuller, Jim Hoad and Carole Kent interviewed the entrants for Ninfield Carnival Queen.

“The young ladies were asked to say a little about themselves and what they enjoy about their parishes and after much deliberation the judges crowned Katherine Pickup, aged 10, as this years Queen.

“She was then joined by her two Princesses, Evelyn Britt and Ruby Wadmore, both agedfour, as the Carnival Court for 2011.

“Many thanks go to Linda Scott for co-ordinating the competition. The overall winners of the Fancy Dress competition were Asher Martin and Bradley Scarff in their beautifully be-feathered cart The Guardians of Ninfield - taking up the Carnival’s theme this year of Myths and Legends- and they along with all the race winners trundled home with cups and certificates in hand, absolutely exhausted.

“The Carnival committee would like to thank so many people for attending the event and for helping on the day. Also the sponsors;- Ninfield Parish Council, P&S Equestrian, Warehouse Light and Sound, Carters Eggs, The Chip Basket, and The Phone Call.

“Just a reminder that people can still enter for Ninfield’s Got Talent- the deadline now is June 1 – so come and show ‘em what you’ve got. Friday July 15 is the grand final in the main Marquee before the big Carnival Day itself on June 16.”