SIR, Monmouth Carnival Group want to thank everyone who helped make this year's Carnival Sunday so enjoyable. It takes a year of preparation, but we hope everyone who played a part, felt they were loudly and spontaneously appreciated. We worked with our local police, CSOs, MCC Highways, the Fire Service, St John's Ambulance and Debbie McCarty to ensure safety. Special thanks are also due to everyone who normally parks within the road closure area on a Sunday and those whose normal journeys were delayed. The hard work and experience of the festival volunteers (led by Les Modget, chair of the Festival Committee) and the Monmouth Rotarian marshalls meant the cavalcade from the double decker bus to the tiniest Little Einstein toddler, could pass safely down Monnow Street, packed with people but, exhilaratingly, free from traffic. We would also like to thank Hayley and her staff at the leisure centre for their kind efficiency in ensuring space for floats and vehicles to prepare in safety off the Dixton Road. Walking participants made an unforgettable scene of fun and fantasy as they prepared their costumes in the green shade of St Mary's churchyard trees. Thank you Father David McGladdery and his team. Emma of Priory Street donated a magnificent bouquet of sunflowers, especially designed for the Spirit of Monmouth winner, eight-year-old Millie Appleton. Timpsons donated a magnificent crystal mounted on a satin cushion especially made by Lisa. Millie held her flowers and her crystal and yet waved graciously from her beflagged car, driven and decorated by Robbie Campbell. We would also like to thank John Blake for donating two new perpetual prizes: the Best Vintage Vehicle Shield and the Best-Dressed Walker Cup. These and the original Cup for the Best Carnival Float were kindly displayed in Timpsons window in the week before the carnival. We are extremely grateful to Nick Ramsay AM, who bravely judged all the categories for us. Rudolph Griffiths chauffeured him down the street in his Rolls Royce, while 'Danny' drove the Mayor in his F-type Jaguar. Whether you were part of the procession in your costume, your vintage vehicle or your decorated float, or simply part of the huge crowd that lined the route, thank you. Sadly, the marching band could not make it at the last minute, but we really hope that this year's two innovations – the Busking Festival and The Rotarians' Bed Race – will be repeated traditionally on Carnival Day. A whole new wave of enthusiasts has signed up to the carnival website. If you would like to join them at planning meetings for Carnival 2015, call 07762468903. Monmouth Carnival Group