Norden Carnival – biggest yet!

Norden Carnival royalty: Emma-Clarke, Aman Abbas and Meoldy Hunt

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Norden Carnival has been described as the “biggest and best yet” by organisers.

Today’s (Saturday 14 June) carnival was the 37th annual carnival and saw hundreds of members of the local community come out in the sun to watch the local parade pass through the village.

Kate Davies from the organising committee said: “It has definitely been the biggest and best yet. The weather has really helped and it has been great to see people come out and watch.”

The parade leading into the carnival started at Caldershaw School on Edenfield Road, and went through the village before turning back and heading to Norden School.

Local schools and businesses took part in the parade and kitted out in line with the theme of ‘step back in time.’ People dressed as musicians, film characters, toys and television characters.

Once at Norden School fairground rides were on site as well as refreshments, games and entertainment.

The Brown Cow Pub, entering the parade for the first time, were over the moon to be awarded the Best Float prize and Whittaker Moss retained the Best Dressed Walking Group Trophy, the Cowman Cup. Dylan Connett was selected as the Best Dressed Boy and sisters Rachel and Janet Ashworth shared the award for Best Dressed Girl. New Mayfair Hair and Beauty Salon won the Best Dressed Shop Window.

Other new entries in the parade were Fisherfield Farm Nursery, Ashworth View Nursery, the 51st Rochdale Rainbows and Guides, the Norden Arms and Deli and Meanwood School. Music was provided along the route by local band Kill Me with Kindness as well as the Rochdale Intermediate Brass Band and the Pipe Band. Also joining the parade were a mix of old and new vehicles including an old fashioned fire engine and post office van. Also on parade were a Toyota GT86 and the Feel Good Festival car, both provided by Carnival sponsors RRG Toyota Rochdale.

Jared Griffin, General Manager, commented: "RRG Toyota are proud to have sponsored the carnival for the last two years. It’s a fantastic event with everyone having such a good time and probably one of the best carnivals in the area. The organisers do a great job at bringing so many people together."

Georgina Jones, one of the organising committee added: "It’s great to see so many new groups getting into the Carnival spirit and it’s good to see others returning such as Rochdale Hornets and the FAB Dance Academy. We’d like to thank everyone who participated or helped out. I’m not sure how we’ll top this year’s Carnival but we’ll certainly try."

Organisers now hope that after the success of this year’s festival, people will be persuaded to get involved next year.

“We definitely want to top this next year. We hope it will entice people to get involved and show off their businesses,” said Kate Davies.