'Best ever' Wareham Carnival (From Bournemouth Echo)

'Best ever' Wareham Carnival

6:30pm Monday 19th July 2010 in

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WAREHAM took a step back in time as carnival day took on a retro feel for 2010.

The medieval theme was widely embraced but many took the chance to give their own twist on history.

Among the knights and jesters were hippies, wartime singers and soldiers, and morris dancers.

Organisers hailed the procession the best ever, with more than 20 floats parading through the town.

Picture gallery under related link below

Heather Scharnhorst, from the carnival committee, said: “I have been involved for many years and this was the best procession we have had.”

A special guest also made a rare but welcome appearance for this year’s carnival – the sun.

“Wareham is notorious for being wet on carnival day,” said Heather. “We thought it was happening again this year, but the weather couldn’t have been better.”

Among the floats was a traditionally show-stopping effort from the Lowry family.

They created a wartime dance scene, complete with singers, backing band and dancing soldiers and girls.

Wareham Rangers under-10s brought a peace and love vibe with their camper van and hippy dress.

Many groups, including the Wareham Conser-vative Club and the Wareham and Purbeck Young Farmers, turned their floats into mobile castles. There were also clowns, a marching band, majorettes and Swanage’s reigning carnival queens, Aicha Thompson, 12, and Drew Hamilton, 13.

Following the procession a duck race, dog show and boat race took place on the town quay.

Live music from Replays, Toned F and the Wareham Whalers then kept the crowds entertained into the evening. It brought an end to carnival week in Wareham, which had featured a film night, treasure hunts, a quiz, a history walk and a murder mystery banquet.