IT’S time to get your glad rags on, because Bere Alston Carnival is back. Unsurprisingly, there’s a royal flavour to this year’s festivities, with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations just around the corner.

The theme is ‘Music from the Reign’ and carnival week begins on Saturday, May 28 with the procession through the village. All those entering are invited to meet at the recreational field on The Down for judging at 1.15pm (see below for email for entry forms).

The parade will then set off at 2.30pm along the route used by the bus. With Covid concerns lingering, there will be a slight change to the trophy and prizegiving presentation, with this taking place on the recreational field before the start of the procession.

Then everyone taking part are invited to meet after the procession on the recreational field for tea and cake. The carnival have been lucky this year to secure a 100% charitable discount for their music licence thanks to PPL PRS Ltd which means that each entrant is permitted to play pre-recorded background music to go along with their entry’s theme.

Carnival week will continue on Thursday, June 2 when the Edgcumbe Hotel will kindly host a carnival quiz night. Teams of five are invited to join in this event starting at 8pm. Do come along and try to beat the carnival team – this is not too hard to do.

Fun day this year will be held on Saturday, June 4 at the primary school as part of the parish’s Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations.

Starting at 10am there will be a full day of entertainment with steamroller rides courtesy of the Robey Trust, live music, dance and acrobatics displays, bouncy castle, Didi cars, Emazdad children’s entertainer, Dinky the Donkey and friends, fun games and competitions, refreshments, ice cream van, beer tent, craft stalls and much much more.

Finally Carnival Bingo takes place on Saturday, June 18, 7pm, eyes down 7.30pm, at Bere Alston Parish Hall, and on the same day, the Dog Show in the Recreational Field on The Down, starting at 11am, 50p per dog per class, refreshments available.

For more info and entry forms for the carnival and funday stalls, please contact Fiona Maddock on [email protected].