HATHERLEIGH Carnival was declared a success when the carnival committee held their final meeting of the year at The George Hotel earlier this month.

The committee met on Wednesday, December 6 for a final reckoning on the carnival, held on Saturday, November 11 and the months of fundraising which went into it.

‘Everyone agreed that the carnival, although wet, had been a fantastic event, with amazing floats, walking guys and brilliant bands both in the procession and in the square on the Friday and Saturday night,’ said press secretary Louise Bater. ‘They would like to thank everyone who helped make it so special.

‘After a busy year putting on some brilliant fundraising events, we were able to donate £200 each to this year’s main charities, which were Hatherleigh Brownies (our Carnival Queen’s chosen charity), the Devon Air Ambulance Trust and the RD&E Oncology Fund.

‘We also gave £350 to Hatherleigh Silver Band, who always play lots for us over the weekend, £75 to Hatherleigh Rotary, £100 to the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team in thanks for all their help on carnival night, as well as £50 each to the football and cricket clubs. The final figures will be on display as soon as the final amounts have been reconciled.’

She added that the committee wanted to thank everyone who carried a bucket and collected donations on the night. ‘Our top three highest female collectors were third, Helen Reddaway with £64.81, second, Cindy Squire with £91.73 and in first place, with a brilliant £183.96, Ricki Entwistle,’ said Louise. ‘Our top three male collectors were third, Graham Jones with £31, second, Adrian Edwards with £165.35, and, for the second year running, our highest male collector was Ivor Pellow with an amazing £300.22. Congratulations to you all and thank you to everyone who donated money too.’

Still to be claimed is the winner of the ‘lucky badge number’ which was 1468. ‘If that’s yours please contact our treasurer on 01837 811767 to claim your prize,’ said Louise. ‘Our President Ady Taylor (landlord of the Tally Ho!) drew the President’s Badge lucky number and, much to our amusement, the winner was Christian Davidson, the landlord of The George. We hope he will enjoy his prize of £50 plus a meal for two in... The George! Thank you again to everyone who bought a badge in support of the carnival.’

This year, the carnival committee asked Rupert Stockwin, who has won the carnival photo competition for the past two years, to be the event’s official photographer. ‘We are so pleased with the impressive photos he has taken over the weekend,’ said Louise. ‘See our Facebook page to view his brilliant work.’

This year’s photography competition was judged by Rupert along with Carnival Queen Annie Strawbridge and President Ady Taylor.

‘After much deliberation, they decided on Briony Cox in third place with an atmospheric shot of dancing in the square the night before carnival. Briony also took second place with a picture of the Aladdin float’s flying carpet, and in first place, with a stunning picture of the burning tar barrels, was Eliza Squire. Well done to you all, and thanks to everyone who took part,’ said Louise.

Work begins in the New Year on preparations for next year’s carnival, which will have to be organised around changes at Hatherleigh Market, the mustering point each year for the carnival procession.

‘Obviously with the imminent redevelopment of the market in Hatherleigh, the committee will have a lot of changes to implement in the coming year,’ said Louise. ‘We will try and find the best solutions we can and we hope all our wonderful supporters will bear with us to help make Carnival 2018 just as amazing as this year’s has been. If you have enjoyed the discos in the market in the past, please keep your eyes peeled for a possible final hurrah before the market finishes next February.’