Town gripped by carnival fever

The town's main streets were awash with a sea of people watching the flamboyant parade.
Around 850 people, including representatives from 32 local organisations, created a chameleon of colour that snaked its way through the town, led by the rousing Cheshire Constabulary Band. People went to town on the around the world theme, transforming into musketeers, cowboys and Indians, and many donned several countries' World Cup football strips. After the procession, Congleton Park was the arena for fun, which included the Wacky Tumblairs, an international comedy circus-style trampoline act, a dog obedience display from Danesford Dog Training Club and stuntmen Mark and Aaron Stannage. Visyon worker Lisa Digby from Nantwich took part in the procession. She said: "It was fantastic, it really brought the community together." Buglawton resident Ken Homer watched the procession arrive at the park. He said: "The kids enjoyed it, it's been good, it's been nice to be out and see something different. It's the first one we've been to but we'd come again." Isabelle Bentley came from Stoke-on-Trent to see the carnival, for a family day out with her husband and son. She said: "We were looking for an event to go to and saw this, it's good, there's lots to do and see. The procession was good." Congleton MP Fiona Bruce spent the afternoon at the carnival and said she had a "wonderful time". She said: "I thought it was a wonderful demonstration of the huge commitment of Congleton people to help the local community through the wide number of voluntary organisations there. I enjoyed it tremendously." Mrs Bruce said one particular stall stood out to her - the 1st Congleton Scouts where David Cropper and Stephen Sebire had volunteered for a soaking in the stocks to raise money for the group. She said: "They were raising money to pay for a bill of £1,000 which they received due to a gas leak and I'm going to ask the gas board to look again at that bill in view of the good work the Scouts group does for the community."

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