Despite a damp and gloomy start to the day, the sun came out in time for the Ross carnival parade on Saturday, August 4th, and it definitely brought the crowds out. There were hundreds of people lining the streets to watch the procession, which was bigger and better than it had been for some years, After all the agonising for the committee following the recent terrible rains the decision to go ahead with the carnival on the traditional date, and to move the stalls and sideshows to the Wilton car park seemed to be the right one. Ross Pre-School Playgroup won Class 1 with Cinderella, the staff of the Larruperz Centre won Class 2 as Ross on Hawaii, Ross Divers with Black Pearl was second and the Gressleys went Oriental to take away the first prize in Class 4. Oliver Moore won the fancy dress walking competition dressed as a Big Top. Everyone who took part in the procession was awarded with a colourful rosette which they wore with pride.
Float and walkers - the winners of Ross Carnival 2007. Class 1 - 1st - Ross Preschool Playgroup with 'Cinderella', 2nd - Fun to Sea Nursery with 'Old MacDonald's Farm', 3rd - The Larks Skittle team as 'Ross Flappers'. Class 2 - 1st - The staff of the Larruperz Centre as 'Ross on Hawaii', 2nd - Ross Divers as 'Black Pearl', 3rd - Ross NCT 'Under the Sea'. Class 3 - No entries. Class 4 - 1st - The Gresleys go Oriental, 2nd - Ross Community Hospital – 'Music through the Decades'. Class 5 - 1st Circus Tent, 2nd - Two Princesses, Joint 3rd - Bill & the Cat and two Chinese Girls. Some of theCarnival pics - Birthday boy Josh Bevan, who was four years old on Carnival day, with his Dad, Craig. The Larks Bar Flapper with Margaret Evans, who made all the costumes, at the bar. A duck from the Fun To Sea Nursery float, two members of the Ross Pre-school Cinderella float, Carnival Princess - Millie White, The Hula dancers from The Larruperz float, NCT Under the Sea and Two Princessess, Georgia and Tabitha Davies.
One of the youngest participants in the Carnival, one month old Elliot Downing.
• Youngsters lined the streets on Carnival Day, some were armed with water pistols like these three lads, Tyler-Jamie, Ryan-Luke and Liam-Josh Davies.
There was a new award at this year's carnival, in memory of long time supporter of Ross Carnival, Pam Allen, picture inset. The Pam Allen trophy for the best hand made costume was awarded to Peter Colburn, who was dressed as Elvis and was with the group "Music through the decades" from Ross Community Hospital. Tom Allen was asked to present the award but was overcome with emotion so Zena Higgs presented the award on his behalf. He is pictured above with his Mum, Sarah, and sister, Lucy, and his Grandma, Anne, who made the costume.
This year the judges had a very tough time deciding on the winners of the very popular Odd Object competition as there were 500 entries. The winners of the competition are as follows; first prizes go to Amy Ridge, Merrivale Crescent and Cally Leeth, Prospect Terrace. Second prizes go to Vanessa Bryant, Brampton Road, Abigail, Nathan and Naomi Haggett, Mayhill Road. The runners up are Louise and Jonathan Cross, Laburnum Close, Cameron and Kieron Terry, Park Walk, Harry and Rory Neale, Beech Close and Katie, Sophie, Ryan and Sarah Lewis, Old Market Close. All prizes can be collected from the Heritage Centre from August 9th.