Carnival blessed with great weather

KARATE demonstrations, spectacular fireworks displays and live music made this year s Dunmow Carnival one to remember. Conservative estimates have put the number of people in attendance at 5,000, and hundreds of pounds are expected to have been raised for

KARATE demonstrations, spectacular fireworks displays and live music made this year's Dunmow Carnival one to remember.

Conservative estimates have put the number of people in attendance at 5,000, and hundreds of pounds are expected to have been raised for two Dunmow groups.

Procession committee member, Linda Herring, said that the carnival was the best the town had ever seen.

She said: "It was fantastic - we had a record number of people watching the procession and at the fun day.

"The Essex Samba Band was great fun, keeping everyone entertained as the procession made its way through Dunmow.

"At the fun day, the Robbie Williams impersonator was a treat. Marshall King is always very good and he didn't disappoint either."

The girl crowned Carnival Queen was Danielle Bussell, with Chloe Dews and Holly Webbeley being crowned as her princesses.

The overall winners of the procession entries were Dunmow Sugarcraft Guild, who went with an "upstairs / downstairs" theme.

The youth winner for float decoration was Dunmow Karate Club, while Amy's Driving School won the commercial float prize.

Mrs Herring revealed that plans were already under way for next year's carnival and that anyone who was willing to help out with preparations would be warmly welcomed.

She said: "It gets harder and harder each year to improve on the previous year's effort, and next year's going to be really tough as this one was such a success.

"Anyone who would like to help in any way is encouraged to emaildunmowcarnival@hotmail.co.uk."

Once the proceeds from this year's event have been counted, they will be given to the Dunmow Karate Club and Dunmow Majorettes.