Belinda Bennett provides a round-up of South West illuminated carnivals
THE best was saved to last at Honiton and District Carnival. Phoenix CC, last in the procession line-up, took best overall and first in its class with the awe-inspiring Dragonia. Upward lights illuminated the night sky as the entry crowned Bramble Hill before heading for a packed High Street. Sparkling white lights, that seemed to encrust the entire creation, were a sight to behold - giving spectators a big hint that one of the mightiest was on its way. Adding a touch of mystique to Dragonia was its mist-like smoke and magical colourings. As always, Honiton Motel was packed for the presentation night after the carnival. Thanks to Haley, Mandy and staff for their unstinting support and patience. The atmosphere inside the function room was electric as the roll call of winners was announced. There were some surprises in store - thanks to the attendance of South Somerset Federation contenders. One of those was Phoenix. It knocked Sidvale CC off the top spot. Sidvale took second in its class (behind Phoenix) with Brazilia, but went on to win a clutch of special awards. There was a shock defeat for Nymphos CC in the comic class. The unbeaten contender came in second, behind pirates One Plus One, of Ilminster. The enthusiasm of One Plus One's back section 'bar staff' (the woman in particular) was a real treat and an example for East Devon contenders to follow. Brilliant! New Beginnings CC, of Taunton, took a well-deserved first in the tableau (still) section with a classic take on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Aysheburton Stannary CC, always a high quality contender, will be looking to regain top honours next weekend in the last carnival on the East Devon circuit at Ottery St Mary. Will New Beginnings attend? Best local entry was Hillside Garage with Degreased. Club 2000, of Chard, has long supported Honiton and District Carnival and last night it got a chance to reap some rewards. As well as being placed in its class, the striking Voodoo entry won the Queen's Choice Trophy. Full results to follow. A&A CC, of Kilmington, was best walking wheeled entry and best overall in the walking classes with Crazy Horses. Roger Muspratt-Hamilton shone in the carnival - and was a real star at the presentation afterwards. The walking individual is a real 'great' of carnival. Jodie Bea Mitchell, a legend in her own lifetime, was also at Honiton with Crystal Chandelier. Among those from South Devon were Brimspear and Dawlish CC. They shared road crew and were a great attraction during the procession. The East Devon circuit would be poorer without them. Chard Majorettes were victorious in the majorette section, with Merriott Silhouettes in second place and Karizma, of Axminster, in third position. Seaton Fire and Ice were fourth and Diamond Cheer Squad, of Honiton, Sidmouth and Exmouth, came fifth. The Diamonds are probably in a class of their own, offering crowds something totally different. Their skills are worthy of a special show. Honiton Twirlstars were the host troupe and, as such, did not participate in the competition. However, Lindi Polkey's new wig alone (which many people thought was her REAL hair, it was so convincing) made their performance one to be remembered. Well done! Brimgrovers JCC, of Shepton Beauchamp, conquered a new generation of admirers, along with Rascals JCC, of Ilminster. Broadclyst took a notable prize at Honiton with its Formula 1 Grand Prix entry. The small community is making great strides all round as it bids for a place on the East Devon circuit. Their efforts are to be applauded. Robyn Broom, Seaton Carnival Queen, is a Honiton girl - so she deserves a special mention on Carnival Capers. Why not bid to be Honiton's top 'royal' next year? My personal favourite on the night was Honiton Round Table. I've never seen so many great Elvis impersonators in one go - especially poignant in 2007 when a milestone in The King's passing has been reached. Well done, too, to 1st Honiton Scouts with The Wurzels. The walking entry was massive and a crowd hit. Seaton Explorer Scouts, The Wurzels At Large, admirably completed the route despite generator problems. Hats off to the Explorers. It's been a tough old introduction to carnival - all in the name of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Let's hope it brings on a new club (you are more than good enough) and some great future carnivalites. For a first entry, it is as well done as it is ambitious. Don't let generator problems put you off. Generators are a headache for all, at times. Thanks to Seaton Tramway, and others, for their generous sponsorship. My inspiration for carnival originates from my days as Chief Reporter of the Chard & Ilminster News. I can't tell you how pleased I was to spot Shirley Ball, of Domino, in the line-up at Honiton. Domino CC was a real plus-point for the carnival and Shirley's presence was an added bonus. Thank you, Domino, for coming. Your Midweek Herald took second place in the trade section. George Blake, magician and local businessman, was compere in the town centre during the procession. Thank you for your efforts. I could go on and on, but I've just stepped foot inside my own front door (in Lyme Regis, Dorset) for the first time in three days. It's a hard ol' life being a carnivalite AND a director of a Devon carnival, albeit in my hometown!!!! FULL results will be in this week's Midweek Herald (and on Carnival Capers), as soon as I've got them typed up. I'm hoping, cross-fingers, to get all the photographs on-line before publication day (Wednesday). Keep logging on! Terry Ife was my photographer on the night and he did a sterling job, going right through to the end of the carnival. Terry was so professional and polite as I barked out instructions of what I wanted recorded of the procession. He also took posed pictures, mainly of walking entries, in Ottery Moor Lane before the start. The Herald's coverage will be slightly different this year. Be warned!
THE best was saved to last at Honiton and District Carnival.
Phoenix CC, last in the procession line-up, took best overall and first in its class with the awe-inspiring Dragonia.
Upward lights illuminated the night sky as the entry crowned Bramble Hill before heading for a packed High Street.
Sparkling white lights, that seemed to encrust the entire creation, were a sight to behold - giving spectators a big hint that one of the mightiest was on its way.
Adding a touch of mystique to Dragonia was its mist-like smoke and magical colourings.
As always, Honiton Motel was packed for the presentation night after the carnival.
Thanks to Haley, Mandy and staff for their unstinting support and patience.
The atmosphere inside the function room was electric as the roll call of winners was announced.
There were some surprises in store - thanks to the attendance of South Somerset Federation contenders.
One of those was Phoenix. It knocked Sidvale CC off the top spot.
Sidvale took second in its class (behind Phoenix) with Brazilia, but went on to win a clutch of special awards.
There was a shock defeat for Nymphos CC in the comic class. The unbeaten contender came in second, behind pirates One Plus One, of Ilminster.
The enthusiasm of One Plus One's back section 'bar staff' (the woman in particular) was a real treat and an example for East Devon contenders to follow. Brilliant!
New Beginnings CC, of Taunton, took a well-deserved first in the tableau (still) section with a classic take on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Aysheburton Stannary CC, always a high quality contender, will be looking to regain top honours next weekend in the last carnival on the East Devon circuit at Ottery St Mary. Will New Beginnings attend?
Best local entry was Hillside Garage with Degreased.
Club 2000, of Chard, has long supported Honiton and District Carnival and last night it got a chance to reap some rewards. As well as being placed in its class, the striking Voodoo entry won the Queen's Choice Trophy. Full results to follow.
A&A CC, of Kilmington, was best walking wheeled entry and best overall in the walking classes with Crazy Horses.
Roger Muspratt-Hamilton shone in the carnival - and was a real star at the presentation afterwards. The walking individual is a real 'great' of carnival. Jodie Bea Mitchell, a legend in her own lifetime, was also at Honiton with Crystal Chandelier.
Among those from South Devon were Brimspear and Dawlish CC. They shared road crew and were a great attraction during the procession. The East Devon circuit would be poorer without them.
Chard Majorettes were victorious in the majorette section, with Merriott Silhouettes in second place and Karizma, of Axminster, in third position. Seaton Fire and Ice were fourth and Diamond Cheer Squad, of Honiton, Sidmouth and Exmouth, came fifth.
The Diamonds are probably in a class of their own, offering crowds something totally different. Their skills are worthy of a special show.
Honiton Twirlstars were the host troupe and, as such, did not participate in the competition. However, Lindi Polkey's new wig alone (which many people thought was her REAL hair, it was so convincing) made their performance one to be remembered. Well done!
Brimgrovers JCC, of Shepton Beauchamp, conquered a new generation of admirers, along with Rascals JCC, of Ilminster.
Broadclyst took a notable prize at Honiton with its Formula 1 Grand Prix entry. The small community is making great strides all round as it bids for a place on the East Devon circuit. Their efforts are to be applauded.
Robyn Broom, Seaton Carnival Queen, is a Honiton girl - so she deserves a special mention on Carnival Capers. Why not bid to be Honiton's top 'royal' next year?
My personal favourite on the night was Honiton Round Table. I've never seen so many great Elvis impersonators in one go - especially poignant in 2007 when a milestone in The King's passing has been reached.
Well done, too, to 1st Honiton Scouts with The Wurzels. The walking entry was massive and a crowd hit.
Seaton Explorer Scouts, The Wurzels At Large, admirably completed the route despite generator problems. Hats off to the Explorers. It's been a tough old introduction to carnival - all in the name of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Let's hope it brings on a new club (you are more than good enough) and some great future carnivalites. For a first entry, it is as well done as it is ambitious. Don't let generator problems put you off. Generators are a headache for all, at times. Thanks to Seaton Tramway, and others, for their generous sponsorship.
My inspiration for carnival originates from my days as Chief Reporter of the Chard & Ilminster News. I can't tell you how pleased I was to spot Shirley Ball, of Domino, in the line-up at Honiton. Domino CC was a real plus-point for the carnival and Shirley's presence was an added bonus. Thank you, Domino, for coming.
Your Midweek Herald took second place in the trade section.
George Blake, magician and local businessman, was compere in the town centre during the procession. Thank you for your efforts.
I could go on and on, but I've just stepped foot inside my own front door (in Lyme Regis, Dorset) for the first time in three days. It's a hard ol' life being a carnivalite AND a director of a Devon carnival, albeit in my hometown!!!!
FULL results will be in this week's Midweek Herald (and on Carnival Capers), as soon as I've got them typed up. I'm hoping, cross-fingers, to get all the photographs on-line before publication day (Wednesday). Keep logging on! Terry Ife was my photographer on the night and he did a sterling job, going right through to the end of the carnival. Terry was so professional and polite as I barked out instructions of what I wanted recorded of the procession. He also took posed pictures, mainly of walking entries, in Ottery Moor Lane before the start. The Herald's coverage will be slightly different this year. Be warned!