Ilkeston - Carnival Characters
w/e 09 June 2013
All this week's pictures were taken
with a Kodak DX6490
After the cancellation of last year's carnival due
to the waterlogged ground, Ilkeston Lions Club, organisers of
the event, must have been full of trepidation as they prepared
for this year's event. But they didn't need to worry as, although
cloudy for most of the day, it did remain dry and the Ilkeston
folk turned out in their thousands to support the charities,
the main beneficiary this year being "The Laura Centre"
an organisation dealing with child bereavement.
The carnival as far as the public were concerned began with the
traditional parade of floats and groups through the town to the
Recreation Ground and although I took several photos as it passed
along South Street, I decided this year to concentrate on some
of the "Carnival Characters" that took part.
The parade was led by the Long Eaton Militaires Marching Band who also
gave a performance in the main arena but I caught these two young
ladies as they waited for their time in the arena to come round.
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Closely following the Militaires in the parade was an open top
car carry the Carnival Queen. No carnival would be complete without
a Queen and this year that honour fell to Rebecca May Edwards.
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In order not to show favouritism, this and the next images are
in the same order as the floats appeared in the parade. This
picture of the 2nd Ilkeston Scout Group shows some of the
members who, aboard a mock-up ship named the Jolly Scouters,
had taken a piratical theme as their inspiration for their float.
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The Salvation Army Parent and Tots Group went on a Teddy Bear's
Picnic and gave the whole event a thumbs up.
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All of the lorries in the parade had been provided by West Transport free of charge and the Methodist
Churches of Ilkeston had transformed theirs into a float celebrating
the fact that the town is soon to have a new railway station.
There were many characters on the float including the Station
Master.
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The float also paid homage to the railways of the past and featured
this Edwardian gentleman although the dark glasses were from
a more recent era.
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Another Scout Group, the 4th Ilkeston (Cotmanhay and Shipley) , won
the best float in the parade prize with a Willy Wonka and the
Oompa Loompas theme and two of their participants are seen here
with the trophy.
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Not to be outdone by the scouting neighbours the final float
in the parade was that of the 8th Ilkeston Cotmanhay Church Guide
Group and Senior Section Unit who, with their own Freddy Mercury,
promised that "We Will Rock You" but paused as they
dismantled their decorated lorry for this photo.
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As well as the floats there were several participants on foot
including a bear who apparently loves hugs and was promoting
Curves,
a 30 minute fitness concept designed for women.
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Another bear was part of the contingent promoting the local radio
station Erewash
Sound which plays favourites of today and yesterday and can
be found on 96.8 FM. A lot of hard work goes into organising
the carnival and as the Ilkeston Lions Club reflect on the success
this year's event I'm sure that they are already planning ahead
for Carnival 2014.
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