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Christchurch Carnival was revived after a three-year hiatus




CROWDS braved the heatwave to cheer on the return of the Christchurch carnival parade over the weekend.

Sunday saw the revival of the carnival procession after a three-year hiatus, with Twynham Guides, Jan's Belly Dancers and Saxon Rugby Team joining the colourful characters taking part.

The dog show and fireworks display was cancelled due to the weather, but charitable donations were forthcoming from onlookers – pressed for a bit more by a pair of Star Wars stormtroopers.

Buy photos at www.photos.iliffemedia.co.uk/p699896114

Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)

Carnival chair Viv Charrett said it was "wonderful" to see so many people back despite the blistering heat.

"We had to cancel the dog show and the fireworks display, basically because of the heat and the risk of sparks causing fires," Viv said.

"Despite the afternoon being so hot we still had a great number of people turn up, which was really good to see.

Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)

"The evening show was when things really got going. We had the All About Abba tribute act performing and everybody in the crowd was up and dancing and waving their hands."

On Sunday people joined the traditional carnival parade dressed as butterflies, fairies and Captain Jack Sparrow among other costumes.

Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)

Saxon Rugby Team joined the parade on a flat-bed truck and won first prize in the mayor's parade competition.

Second place went to the Twynham Guiding group and third to a team from Mad 4 Dance school in Christchurch.

Viv said: "We had two Stormtroopers walking around and letting people take photos with them, but they were asking people to make donations to us in return. They did very well with generating donations.

Christchurch Carnival (58648916)
Christchurch Carnival (58648916)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)
Christchurch carnival parade attracted huge crowds over the weekend (Photo: Les Chase)

"Myself and the other organisers still have buckets and buckets of coins to count through, but they're safely stored until we've had a couple of days to recover."

Viv said she hopes the final fundraising count for this year will at least equal last year's total of £3,000.



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