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Carnival Day 2016

The Carnival at the Castle 2016 took place on Sunday 19 June. The sun shone and it was a glorious afternoon, and busy too - at least 8,000 were estimated to have attended! Stalls bustled, songs were sung, thousands were raised for charity, the fancy dress was charming, and everyone had a good time celebrating a community day in the sun.

the fancy dress competition 2016

Photo; The fancy dress competition 2016, courtesy of Sue Brewster Brown.

THANK YOU to everyone who took part; those who helped, supported or sponsored, the stall-holders and the performers, and of course to everybody who came along on the day!  We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

What took place

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Photos shown on this page are just some of the best sent in or found on social media.

Thanks to our regular photographer; Steve Beeston photography.

All links/content was correct as of 2016. Content may be removed from other sites at any time.

 

The Opening

The Carnival was formally opened at 1.20pm in the arena in the Castle grounds by the Mayor of Hertford, Cllr Dr Linda Radford.

Cllr Radford gave an opening speech before declaring the Carnival 'Open!'.

See Fancy dress competition, the Opening and the Castle for photos!

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Stalls at the Castle

From 12pm to 5pm there were stalls and refreshments in the busy Castle grounds.

We had 50 stalls exhibiting their wares on Carnival day. Many favourites from previous years returned, plus some new faces!

Essential food requirements were definitely catered for with tea and plenty of cake, a McMullens drinks tent and plentiful Pimms, whole pizzas and lots of icecream. Stalls sold chutneys, cars and crafts, local organisations showcased their services, whilst traditional fete activities and games such as tombolas, lucky dips and face painting also took place. There were also six foot dogs, yachts to clamber on, and many balloons!

Preference for stall applicants was given to Hertford-based applicants, and favourable rates were given to local businesses and/or charities. 

Photos of the stalls are here;

  • The Scouts' yacht provided a great backdrop (photo Anna Schlenker) The Scouts' yacht provided a great backdrop (photo Anna Schlenker)
  • Bee very still for this buzz (photo Steve Beeston) Bee very still for this buzz (photo Steve Beeston)
  • People enjoying the day ... And the Mayor enjoying a joke (photo Steve Beeston)! People enjoying the day ... And the Mayor enjoying a joke (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • Giant dogs were seen wandering around (we hope?) (photo Anna Schlenker) Giant dogs were seen wandering around (we hope?) (photo Anna Schlenker)
  • Kids loved clambering on the boats (photo Steve Beeston) Kids loved clambering on the boats (photo Steve Beeston)
  • There were lots of cakes (photo Hertford Town Council)! There were lots of cakes (photo Hertford Town Council)!
  • Traditional stalls such as lucky dips were popular (photo Steve Beeston) Traditional stalls such as lucky dips were popular (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Crafted goods were for sale (photo Steve Beeston) Crafted goods were for sale (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Families came down to enjoy the afternoon (photo Steve Beeston) Families came down to enjoy the afternoon (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Young and old browsed the stalls (photo Steve Beeston) Young and old browsed the stalls (photo Steve Beeston)
  • The McMullens beer tent was popular (photo Steve Beeston) The McMullens beer tent was popular (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Inner Wheel provided us with tea and cakes (photo Steve Beeston) Inner Wheel provided us with tea and cakes (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Quick, paddle faster (photo Andy Ling)! Quick, paddle faster (photo Andy Ling)!
  • Whee (photo Steve Beeston)! Whee (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • Action shot (photo Steve Beeston)! Action shot (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • Popular Pimms at the Abel stall (photo Steve Beeston)! Popular Pimms at the Abel stall (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • There were competitions (photo Steve Beeston) There were competitions (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Transition exhibited green cars (photo Steve Beeston) Transition exhibited green cars (photo Steve Beeston)
  • You rolls the dice and you takes your chances (photo Steve Beeston) You rolls the dice and you takes your chances (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Children wandered around in fancy dress, ready for the competition (photo Steve Beeston) Children wandered around in fancy dress, ready for the competition (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Aw, Dad (photo Steve Beeston)! Aw, Dad (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • Off to the river (photo Steve Beeston)! Off to the river (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • Whole pizzas were on sale (photo Steve Beeston)! Whole pizzas were on sale (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • Yummy, ice cream (photo Steve Beeston)! Yummy, ice cream (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • The face painting was as popular as ever (photo Steve Beeston) The face painting was as popular as ever (photo Steve Beeston)
  • It was a day for all ages (photo Steve Beeston) It was a day for all ages (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Fun with the Lovely Grub community garden (photo Isabelle Robinson) Fun with the Lovely Grub community garden (photo Isabelle Robinson)
  • You're never too young to volunteer (photo Helping Hand charity)! You're never too young to volunteer (photo Helping Hand charity)!
  • Hertford Theatre's stand was covered in corny jokes (photo Anita Brien)! Hertford Theatre's stand was covered in corny jokes (photo Anita Brien)!
  • The Scouts were very present (photo 1st Hertford Scouts) The Scouts were very present (photo 1st Hertford Scouts)
  • The Secret Space had a tiny mascot (photo The Secret Space)! The Secret Space had a tiny mascot (photo The Secret Space)!
     

The list of stalls was as follows;

Steve's Ices

Ribbons

2nd Bengeo Scouts

Sugar Baby

Sad Cat Rescue

Mind in Mid Herts

The Secret Space Yoga

Future Living

Café Santiago

WI Market

Sensory Space

 

Hertford and District Camera Club

Herts and Crafts

Herts Building Preservation Trust

Police and equipment

Hertford & Ware Crime Prevention

 

Various children's games

Bouncy castle

Face Painting

Herts Aid

Clair's Cakes

Picketts of Hertford - Butcher

 

Friends 'n'Trends - jewellery & fancy goods

Green Party

Helping in Gambia

Abel of Hertford - see sponsors

Longmore Solicitors - see sponsors

 

Glitter tattoos

Hardy's Ice Cream

Hertford Theatre

 

Hartham Leisure Centre - see arena

Waste Services

Vets4Pets

 

The Pink Pinny

Nuffield Health

Hertford and District Scout Association

The Snug Hot Dog stand

First Responders

 

Balloons

Transition Hertford

Petruccis Wood Fired Pizzeria

Herts Walks

Top Hat Stage & Screen School - see arena

Town Twinning

Hertford & Ware Bee Keepers

County Castles

 

McMullens

Inner Wheel tea tent

St John's Ambulance (first aid)

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Arena entertainment at the Castle

From 12pm to 5pm there were arena events and entertainment on the lawn at Hertford Castle.

The Mayor formally opened the proceedings at 1.20; see Opening.

There was a charming fancy dress competition; see Fancy dress competition, the opening and the castle.

Groups or individuals were encouraged to perform in the arena, with preference being given to local participants, especially those who could bring a party feel to the proceedings! Crowds gathered to watch, and either sat in the sun or danced along. 

Some performers returned as crowd favourites from the previous years, some were brand new, and all of them were super!

Entertainments were as follows;

12.15 - 12.30 Everyone Active Zumba Dancing 
12.30 - 12.50 The Little Performers Street Dancers,  St Andrews School 
12.50- 13.20 Children's fancy dress parade
13.20 - 13.40 Mayor's opening speech to all and judging of fancy dress competition
13.40- 14.15  Top Hat stage school
14.15– 14.35 Scottish Country Dancing by the South East Herts Scottish Country Dance Society 
 14.35 - 15.15 Fusion Voices in Harmony
15.15 - 15.35 The Graham Moss Big Band 
15.35 - 16.00 Top Hat stage school 
16.00- 17.00 The Shambles

 

  • Local youngsters performed (photo Steve Beeston) Local youngsters performed (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Acts warmed up before they went on (photo Steve Beeston) Acts warmed up before they went on (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Ten talented teens from Top Hat (photo Hertford Town Council) Ten talented teens from Top Hat (photo Hertford Town Council)
  • Abel of Hertford decorated the arena (Abel of Hertford) Abel of Hertford decorated the arena (Abel of Hertford)
  • Rotary's David Kirby compered for the afternoon (photo Anna Schlenker) Rotary's David Kirby compered for the afternoon (photo Anna Schlenker)
  • People got comfortable to enjoy the show (photo Steve Beeston) People got comfortable to enjoy the show (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Follow my lead! ... The Fusion choir had two conductors for their performance (photo Steve Beeston)! Follow my lead! ... The Fusion choir had two conductors for their performance (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • Er, excuse me, young man, this is my gig (photo Hertford Town Council)! Er, excuse me, young man, this is my gig (photo Hertford Town Council)!
  • Local acts sang, included Sele's Shambles (photo Richard Corbett) Local acts sang, included Sele's Shambles (photo Richard Corbett)
  • The Graham Moss band were on stage (photo Steve Beeston) The Graham Moss band were on stage (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Crowds gathered to watch the performances (photo Anna Schlenker) Crowds gathered to watch the performances (photo Anna Schlenker)
  • Top Hat danced and sang (photo Top Hat) Top Hat danced and sang (photo Top Hat)
  • Shambles were far from a shambles (photo Trevor Francis)! Shambles were far from a shambles (photo Trevor Francis)!
  • Children danced in the arena (photo Richard Corbett) Children danced in the arena (photo Richard Corbett)
  • People sang, danced and woofed along to the acts (photo Steve Beeston) People sang, danced and woofed along to the acts (photo Steve Beeston)
  • The SE Herts Scottish Dance Society provided some gentility (photo Steve Beeston) The SE Herts Scottish Dance Society provided some gentility (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Fusion sang their hearts out (photo Steve Beeston) Fusion sang their hearts out (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Fusion's (bonafide) conductor (photo Steve Beeston)! Fusion's (bonafide) conductor (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • The sound man made sure it all went smoothly (photo Steve Beeston) The sound man made sure it all went smoothly (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Acts sang in harmony ... (photo Steve Beeston) Acts sang in harmony ... (photo Steve Beeston)
  • ... And danced to the beat (photo Steve Beeston)! ... And danced to the beat (photo Steve Beeston)!
     

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Fancy dress competition, the opening, and the castle

About thirty children from tiny to medium took part in the annual fancy dress this year, and it was wonderful.

The parade assembled in front of the castle at 1pm, proceeded around the grounds to music on the sound system and led by the Mayor, before lining up in the arena. The Mayor declared the Carnival open, and then she and her fellow judges got onto the serious business of choosing the winners!

There were some great costumes on show; the arena was transformed into a wonderland with stormtroopers, cheerleaders, gypsies, fairies, pirates, and of course princesses. Some children stuck fantastically to the Carnival theme, looking great as clowns in huge trousers, wearing crazy shirts, or in flamboyant outfits including beads, shawls and masks!

The judges included the Mayor of Hertford Cllr Dr Linda Radford, Abel Sales and Lettings director Ami Hayward (Abel sponsored the fancy dress), and Rotary chairman David Pearce. They had an impossible job as everyone looked great, but finally chose four very deserving winners!

The winners were a small Peter Pan, a tiny Bat Girl, a tiny Aerial, and Harry Potter (who must have particularly liked the prize of a bubble wand!)

Meanwhile the Castle was open, with the Friends on hand to answer historical questions and to show people around. 145 visitors had been counted inside in the first hour alone!

 

  • The Mayor declared the Carnival officially 'Open' (photo Steve Beeston)! The Mayor declared the Carnival officially 'Open' (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • Lots of little fancy dress contestants all in a row (photo Sue Brewster Brown) Lots of little fancy dress contestants all in a row (photo Sue Brewster Brown)
  • Some of the costumes were wonderfully in the Carnival theme (photo Steve Beeston) Some of the costumes were wonderfully in the Carnival theme (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Ready for the show (photo Steve Beeston)! Ready for the show (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • The judges chose carefully (photo Hertford Town Council) The judges chose carefully (photo Hertford Town Council)
  • In the arena (photo Hertford Town Council) In the arena (photo Hertford Town Council)
  • Chatting to the judges (photo Peter Rawlings) Chatting to the judges (photo Peter Rawlings)
  • Nerves were on show, as well as great costumes (photo Steve Beeston)! Nerves were on show, as well as great costumes (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • The Mayor announced the results (photo Steve Beeston)! The Mayor announced the results (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • Come on up, winners (photo Steve Beeston)! Come on up, winners (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • Giving Harry Potter a wand (photo Steve Beeston)! Giving Harry Potter a wand (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • Receiving their prizes (photo Steve Beeston) Receiving their prizes (photo Steve Beeston)
  • The four deserving winners (photo Peter Rawlings)! The four deserving winners (photo Peter Rawlings)!
  • But everyone got something - everyone deserved it (photo Steve Beeston)! But everyone got something - everyone deserved it (photo Steve Beeston)!
  • We worked the Rotary stewards hard, but allowed them to have a brief sit down occasionally (photo Steve Beeston) We worked the Rotary stewards hard, but allowed them to have a brief sit down occasionally (photo Steve Beeston)
  • Costumes on show in the Castle (photo Hertford Town Council) Costumes on show in the Castle (photo Hertford Town Council)
  • Strings in the conservatory (photo Hertford Town Council) Strings in the conservatory (photo Hertford Town Council)
     

 

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Charity collections

We wanted Hertford Carnival to benefit our local community, and charities were selected to be the beneficiaries of all monies raised on the day from collections.  We sought donations on the Castle gates, as well as on certain stalls, and appreciated all your generosity!

The chosen charities for 2016 were Isabel Hospice and Shelterbox; click here to read about them, and about the money raised.

The committee and volunteers lurked with their collecting tins at the gates and around the grounds ... And you gave - thank you!

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Miscellaneous

Programmes were distributed on the day, and taken away as a souvenir!

St John first aiders were on hand during the day, with personnel visible in the Castle grounds.

Participants and spectators stuck to Health & Safety guidelines and thus ensured a safe and enjoyable day for all.

Professional and amateur photographers took a variety of pictures during the day, and these were either sent direct to us or found by us in public social media. A selection has been included on these archive pages, and across the website as a whole. Thank you if we have used yours.

If a photo containing your child appears on the website and you object, please contact the webmaster, describing the photo. Please make sure you add the email subject header 'Hertford Carnival'. We will be happy to take it down.

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Feedback

Numerous people contacted us verbally and via our email address, twitter page and via other avenues to comment on Carnival Day 2016. We were delighted to receive these positive comments - it made the hard work and months of planning worthwhile!

A selection of comments are included here, and cover our organisers, sponsors, stall-holders and performers;

David Pearce, Hertford Rotary President, 19 June;

I would like to say a great big "THANK YOU!" and "WELL DONE!" to everyone involved in helping in any way for today's Carnival. To those involved in the Committee, those attending the quiz, those distributing flyers, those assisting at the event and those working on stalls for Rotary, Inner Wheel or any of our sponsors. And to the people of Hertford and the surrounding areas for attending.

As for the Mums and Dads who got their children ready for the Fancy dress, you did fantastically and everyone involved was a winner. I had never realised that judging could be so difficult and I hope we did not ruffle too many feathers with our decisions. Next year maybe we will have different age categories in order to increase the number of winners.

This was the last event of my year as Rotary President and it was a fitting end and made me proud of the fact that I am a Rotarian. It calls to mind the phrase; "Volunteers are not unpaid because they are worthless, they are unpaid because they are priceless!"

Thank you everyone!

David, President

Jane Sartin, chairman of Hertford Town Council development and leisure Committee, said: "Hundreds and hundreds of people enjoyed the day; the castle lawn was packed. It was incredibly busy and possibly even more popular than usual".

Hertford Town Council @HertfordTC What a brilliant turn out, thank you everyone for supporting the @HertCarnival again this year.

Abel - Sales and Lettings Thank you for all your support at the Carnival yesterday at Hertford Castle. We had a fantastic day and are pleased to announce we've raised £257 for Keech Hospice Care! (Abel sponsored the fancy dress parade and the arena, but opted to send the profits from their stall to another deserving local hospice)

Transition Hertford ‏@TransitionHert Great day at the #HertfordCarnival, Lots of interest in our cars, in diff shades of red AND diff shades of #green!

McMullen's Brewery ‏@mcmullens1827 Great day at @HertCarnival yesterday

Sandra C via Streetlife
A big thank you to the Rotary Club for organising yet another super super day at the Castle, weather stayed fair, so all in all a really enjoyable day.  Lovely to see our Lady Mayor, Linda Radford doing a tour of all the stallholders - she works so hard.  Future Living met lots of new people on our tombola stall and will definitely be a permanent fixture in the future ... We raised £114 for the charity.

The Secret Space We had a lovely day at the Hertford Carnival today. Great to meet more local people and give lots of treatments.

G Pickett Butchers Great day at Hertford carnival. Great to meet past, present and future customers. Thanks to Hertford Rotary Club for organising a great event.

Lovely Grub Garden (Transition stall) Lots of plants sold (and funds raised) at Hertford Carnival today

Anita Brien ‏@noodleflute It was a great day! Loved all the entertainment too! Thanks to #Rotary!

Graham Moss Big Band We had a great time at the Hertford Carnival. There were many people who we know waving at us. We also made a good zombie joke.

Beth Hardy ‏@BethHFundraiser (Isabel Hospice) What a great community event! Thank you so much for choosing to support @IsabelHospice

Steven Oates ‏@stevenoatesEA Well done to @HertCarnival for another great event.

Verbal feedback from spectators, stall-holders and performers was good.

 

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Why no procession and a smaller-scale event at Hertford Castle?

Unfortunately, due to not enough participants, the 2014 procession was cancelled. See Why no procession and a smaller-scale event at Hertford Castle? in our 2014 coverage.

Although a big community day in the traditional carnival way is preferable, we decided to continue without a procession for 2015, and again for 2016.

We need a minimum number of floats to make a procession viable for costs and spectators, and in 2014 the carnival almost had to be cancelled due to not enough procession participants at the cut-off date. This incurred costs and some rather rapid and hectic redesigning of the whole afternoon.

We realise that a standard fun day is not to everyone's taste. If you are unhappy, make sure you help out and/or apply for 2017! We would like the next event to be a big community day in the traditional carnival way, but do need a minimum number of floats (enrolled in plenty of time; last minute applications create rather a headache) to make it viable for costs and spectators.

We also need some help organising the day; even a small-scale static standard event takes months of planning, with a whole raft of unexciting but incredibly necessary actions to translate ideas into reality.

We worked long and hard again this year to organise and put on an afternoon of fun for the community, and we are grateful to all those who participated, who supported us, and everyone who came along and enjoyed the day.

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Thank you...

... to everyone who came, supported or participated ... It wouldn't have happened without you!


Want to take part this year? See how you can join in;

Procession (n/a)

Run a stall

Perform in the arena

Or in other ways;

Individuals

Businesses