Sunshine... and then came the deluge!
Reporter: Story: Richard Hooton; Pictures: Chris Sunderland
Date published: 20 July 2009
IT was a weekend of two halves for the popular Failsworth Carnival.
Around two thousand people flocked to Lord Lane playing fields on Saturday as the sun shone for the crowing of carnival queen Keighley Higgins and her retinue.
But yesterday proved a wash-out with heavy rain forcing most of the attractions to pack up early.
The two-day extravaganza kicked off with the traditional parade led by Oldham Band (Lees). Majorettes, colourful floats and Minis were also joined by Oldham’s Mayor, Councillor Jim McArdle and Mayoress Councillor Kay Knox and youngsters from local groups and clubs.
Failsworth Band entertained on the playing fields where the attractions included dancing troupes, an Army paintball shooting range and stalls with lucky dips, tombolas, splat-the-rat and play your cards right.
Funfair rides kept all ages amused and people tucked into hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream.
Despite heavy rain yesterday, some hardy revellers still managed to enjoy attractions such as an owl and falconry display, while the bonny baby competition was moved indoors.
The event raised around £3,500, down on last year. The money will help local groups and charities.
Carnival treasurer Enid Bell said: “We were really pleased with Saturday. It dried up for the parade and the sun even came out for the crowing of the royalty.
It was up on last year and everywhere you looked it was busy.
“Sunday was a wash-out. The event went ahead but everybody packed up early and we had to take the people off the gates. They all did their best but there was only really a handful of people.
“However, we managed to move the bonny baby competition inside and it was packed. We had 16 entries which was more than we normally get.”
The award-winners from the carnival parade were: Hope Methodist Guides and Brownies, best entertaining trophy; St Johns, best children’s float; Failsworth Dynamos, most entertaining on parade; Hope Methodist Rainbows best general float; 248 Scout Group, best in show; Manecco Retiring Princess Caitlin; best visiting princess car.
The bonny baby winners were Aaliyah Bailey (0 to 8 months), Logan Drury (9 to 11 months) and Jak Grogan (18 to 24 months).
