Joyous return for Sedbury Carnival after three decades

THE carnival returned to Sedbury after what is thought to have ben an absence of more than 30 years.

There was a huge turn out for the event near Chepstow, which centred on the Sedbury and Beachley Village Hall in King Alfred Road.

The carnival was organised by Thrive and Shine, a community group set up by local mums, and featured a walking parade which started and finished at the village hall, led by vehicles from the Severn Area Rescue Association and Chepstow Coastguard alongside a number of American and British police cars.

There were dozens of local children in fancy dress in the parade, along with an appearance by Woody and Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story films.

The parade made its way along King Alfred’s Road, Beachley Road and Buttington Road.

On the carnival field local community groups and craftspeople had stalls.

Among them were Happy Go Lucky Theatre which is based at the Tidenham British Legion club and which is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

Tidenham Parish Council supported the carnival and also helped with establishing Thrive Shine.

Jess Hooley, who helped organise the event said: “We believe the last carnival in Sedbury was around 1992.

“Myself and Tanya, as two local mums, got some of the councillors together.

“We told them we would like to bring something back to Sedbury whilst raising more money for our local children to fund a youth club and days out as there is nothing for them to do in the area.

“We thought what better way to bring the community together than an old school carnival?

“The turnout has been amazing.

“We have now formed a community constitution called Thrive and Shine.

“This is just the start of our fundraising for the community.”