CARNIVAL  WEEK 2015 - ‘Sunshine and Showers’
 
 
Clacton Carnival started in a blaze of glorious sunshine with perfect weather for our annual Carnival Procession with the theme of Heroes and Villains, where we collected £4179.12 from the thousands of people lining the streets to watch.
The Sunday was almost too hot for the runners in the Half Marathon and Fun Runs but much better than the hurricane we had last year. At the new venue of the Tendring Education Centre, the Family Fun Day followed and was a great success with a full afternoon of entertainment for all the family.
 
Monday was our infamous Donkey Derby, again at the Tendring Education Centre and this proved as popular as ever with crowds of people turning up to join in this fun event.

Tuesday was our Beach Day this year and this is always very popular especially if the weather is good and we had nearly 90 children taking part in the Sandcastle Competition.  In the evening we had our Annual Egg Throwing Contest where the Clacton Distance Record was broken by nearly 2 metres. Following that was the Beer Dig with loads of tokens being found in the sand and exchanged for drinks.

Wednesday was our new event of the Pitch and Putt at Happy Valley with our mascot Honey Bear which was well supported for its first year.  In the evening was the Tenpin Bowling Tournament at the Pavilion Bowl where 10 teams took part and the Carnival Trophy was won by Mot West.

Then we come to Thursday when we had our Mammoth Fete and Fireworks Spectacular in the evening again at the Tendring Education Centre. This was the day when the weather defeated us.  The day started with strong winds and us having to rope down all the marquees and the wind did not stop but got even stronger.  Eventually at 5.30pm with gale force winds in the wrong direction the Fireworks had to be cancelled as it was considered very unsafe for the public by Kimbolton Fireworks.  At this stage we decided to go ahead with the Fete with free entry and this information was given out to the media and social networks to encourage people still to come.

 
However at 7.15 we had the most horrendous thunderstorm which left us no choice but to abandon the fete as well. We were so disheartened and disappointed as it takes a good year to plan and set up all the stalls and it is also the major fund-raising event of our Carnival Week for all the charities who help. All that hard work and preparation ruined by atrocious weather at the wrong time on the wrong day.
 

Friday was the final day of events after clearing up all the paraphernalia from the carnival field.  The Children’s Fancy Dress competition was as popular as ever with many of the children dressed as Heroes or Villains.  Friday night was the Fun Quiz – 24 teams took part and won by a team called Densa.  The Carnival Queen and her Princesses were also presented with their Prize money.

To sum up – it was an exceptionally challenging week yet again for us with a new venue and great contrasts in weather conditions to cope with.  

But we did our best as we always do…….   We will back next year from 13th – 19th August.