Carnival Gallery 2005

10:00 a.m. Monday morning and stall holders arrive to set up in glorious sunshine.

Women’s Club had Robert just where they wanted him – on his knees.

Who’s got the coconuts? Come on, don’t be shy!

Jeffs sent a coach to pick up the marching band and bring them to the school.

The Acorns gathered under an oak tree in “International” fancy dress.

Everyone dressed up and had their faces painted.

In the pink – make peace, not war!

The 1460 Squadron Band from Banbury led the parade through the village.

Followed closely by the Acorns’ walking float.

Bandmaster Pilot Officer Kisley leads the parade up through the Square.

Directly behind the marching band were a troupe of award-winning twirlers.

Dozens of people joined in behind the band to process to the sports field.

The Rev’d Will Adams officially opened the 2005 Helmdon Carnival.

And as a thank you Rev’d and Mrs Adams were presented with a bouquet and lapel.

The Acorns and Helmdon Harriets were joint winners of the fancy dress competition and
Judy Butler (left, Acorns) and Claire Bryant
(right, Harriets) shared the trophy.

The Craft & Produce tent looked resplendent all laid out before the opening.

Some of the silverware and trophies available to contestants in the Craft & Produce competition.

The younger people are always active participants, and this was some of their impressive work.

Entries in the “Victoria Sandwich
(jam-filled, 7″ – 8″ tin)” class.

The foliage arrangement classes always produce stunning displays.

There was a wonderful selection of fruits and vegetables.

The “Heaviest Marrow” class had a variety of entries.

For those interested in growing onions there is the “Three Transplanted Onions” class, or the “Three Onion Sets” class.

Heavy competition this year in the “Eight
Pods – Runner Beans” and “Six French
Beans” classes.

And simple for spuds it was “Five
Potatoes – White” or “Five Potatoes – Red”.

The under 7’s were asked to “Decorate a biscuit with a face”.

The art classes really bring out Helmdon’s talent – this was the “A Picture – Subject:
Somewhere in your village” class for the
8 – 12 year olds.

The Craft & Produce Show 2005 was a great success.

One of the new additions this year – a pooch mobile to groom and trim our best friends (dogs only!).

As soon as the carnival opened the stalls were doing brisk trade.

Jam, cakes, plants, wine, toys. You name it, there was a stall trading it.

A vintage ploughing competition took
place in an adjacent field.

One of Helmdon’s premier ploughmasters,
Tony Wilson, prepares to turn at the end of a furrow.

Local business Tanks-A-Lot with an unusual display of militaria.

The policeman was overheard inquiring about the price of pink tanks.

Boys (of all ages) were particularly interested in the fire engine from the Brackley Fire Station.

And the mini quad bikes are always good fun too.

What carnival in England would be complete without the traditional favourite,
Punch & Judy!

I bet this sheep was grateful to get her thick woolly coat off! The kids can get up close and personal with sheep shearing demonstrations.

Another new attraction, a transportable climbing wall provided a new challenge to all age groups.

The new mixed well with the old, this traditional carousel was busy all day.

This local martial arts display team put on a very impressive show in the main arena.

Martin Richards had remote-control helicopters, cars and aeroplanes and wowed the crowds with demonstrations of them in action.

Don’t worry Steve – it’s all for charity mate!

The dog show was very well received last year and so was back by popular demand again in 2005. Here’s a gorgeous wolfhound called Saffie, runner-up in the “Pedigree Dog” class.

Danny Dobson’s aerial acrobatics were incredible this year. You can’t see the plane very well, but the vapour trail shows its course!

Who’s the grinder and who’s the monkey!? The organ provides a traditional musical back drop to events.

What a legacy! Michael Ayres (left) co-founded the Helmdon Carnival 23 years ago and has served on every carnival committee since.
This year he is hanging up his boots and he is being thanked by current carnival chairman,
David Bailey. Cheers Tiger!