BERE Alston Carnival week kicked off in fine style on Saturday with the judging of the Carnival floats and walking entrants on the recreation field, followed by the Grand Parade around the village, led by the magnificent Plymouth Pipe Band. This year?s theme of ?My favourite book? left plenty of scope for imaginative flights of fancy. The judges faced difficult decisions but eventually awarded trophies to the following: Floats, artistic: 1, Mad Hatters (Mad Mums); 2, Bere Alston Theatre Group. Comedy: 1, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Bere Alston Surgery); 2, Dracula BATS (Bere Alston Trekers); 3, Guides. Walkers 1-2: 1, Ladybird Books, Harriott Smith and Warren, 2, Harry Potter and Owl, Lewis and Jasmine Barrowman; 3, Harry Potter, Rowan Graeme-Drury. Walkers 3+: 1, Willy Wonker and the Oompaloompas, Brownies; 2, HIMS Ancient and Modern, Bere Alston United Church; 3, Lord of the Rings, Joel and Lara Painter, Edmund Gentle, Kye Holliday. Miscellaneous: 1, My Family, Westview Residential Home; 2, Blues Bros, Benny Cutone and Stan Venning. Horses: 1, Last of the Mohicans, Steph and Kayleigh Adams, Keily Allan; 2, Silver Chair, Christopher Wilkie; 3, Chattors Happy Ponies, Charlotte Wilkie, Marie Milne, Ella Milne; 4, Wicked Witch, highly commended, Amelia Jeans. Overall winner: Mad Hatters (Mad Mums). The queen, Vicky Todd, and her attendants Amy Willcox and Samantha Doidge looked truly regal. The trophy for the visiting queens went to Tavistock. Sincere thanks were extended to local farmers who lent tractors and trailers and themselves ? their help was invaluable and much appreciated.