Cowes Carnival Queens, from left, back, Aimee Light, Becca Cross and Hayley Richards; front, Georgina Selway, Alicia Pearson and Louise Cundell. Picture by Peter Boam.
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FOR ONE reason or another, Cowes Carnival 2008 is one which will be remembered.
All will remember the appalling wintry weather they braved at the so-called height of the summer and more importantly, no-one will forget the poignant tribute paid to Cowes resident Mez Blackwell, whose funeral was held earlier that day.
The procession was met by dozens at the Painters’ Arms, where Mez used to work, and Medina Marching Band played a piece in her memory, with the rest of the carnival standing in silence.
Having stood in the rain for more than an hour, many decided to abandon this year’s procession, including Love Lane Primary School, whose entry was themed on healthy eating.
The ten-strong Amazon Hunters were determined to stay put, but eventually had to admit defeat with the youngest members shivering and soaked through.
The Shamblers Road troop had turned out for their first-ever Cowes Carnival and looked the part in their matching costumes and war paint. They also had the added effect of a real-life boa constrictor called Billy, which usually lives in Arron French’s kitchen cupboard.
Cowes Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society were one of the few walking groups which saw it through as Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood.
Nearly 20 of them took to the streets to promote their pantomime in December.
The weather tried its best to sabotage the proceedings, but several groups successfully made the carnival a bright affair.
Among them were the Pirates of the Cowesibbean, Wight Diamonds Marching Band, Wight Strollers’ Flying Fockers and The Shed Club’s Grease entry.
The carnival committee’s Lyn Hammond said: “It was a washout, but I really want to thank everybody who stuck it out.”
• Full coverage, including results, in the Friday, August 22, County Press.
Cowes Carnival.
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• Click here to view a Cowes Carnival video by Christian Beasley
• Pictures from our online gallery www.iwcpgallery.co.uk below. Click on the image for a larger version.