WITH a theme of water, Bere Alston's Carnival Parade last Saturday should have been wet, wet, wet but thankfully the weather did not co-operate and it was hot and dry all day.

The entrants assembled on the recreation field for the judging by Mike and Jane O'Hara from Plymouth. They had a difficult but enjoyable task, declaring that a great deal of time, effort, imagination and ingenuity had been displayed in the costumes and floats.

Amid much merriment the local Junk Band lead the snake-like procession around the village to the parish hall where a celebratory high tea was enjoyed and the class winners were announced:

Best overall winner: Neptune, King of the Sea, Harry Warren and his two Brides, astride Miniature ponies. Something different: The Junk Band. Walkers one or two: 1 Harry Warren, Ice Cube; 2 Laslo Beesley, Waterman. Walkers, groups: 1, 2nds Bere Alston Cub Scouts, Riverbank; 2, 1st Bere Alston Brownies, Turtles; 3, Noah's Ark, United Church. Floats comedy: 1 The Edgecumbe Pillagers, Norsemen raring to pillage; 2 Tracy's Childminding, pirates. Floats, artistic: 1 Tiddlywinks and Chatterbox; 2 Bere Ferrers Women's Institute, A Rainbow of Opportunity.

Other groups represented included the new playgroup, The Cabin, and Westview Residential Home.

Imagination ran riot with Neptune, mermaids, pirates, a conger eel, sea horse, fish, frogspawn, assorted animals from Noah's Ark, and a 'mouthwatering' ice cube.

Also taking part in the procession were numerous walkers, chairman of the parish council Cllr Phil Archer, the Carnival Queen Olivia Lambruto, 10, with her attendants Mhairi Milne, 8, and Emma Kirby, 7, in their first joint major role of the year.

Local community services were represented by First Western National, Neighbourhood beat manager PC Graham Callender, plus police community support officers, and the Devon Fire and Rescue service managed to attend in spite of an emergency — a swarm of bees having just been discovered nearby.

The celebrations continued as the family fun day on Bank Holiday Monday dawned dull and damp but everyone was determined to enjoy the day.

Steve Costello had organised a selection of events to amuse and entertain the whole family, at the primary school. There were traditional challenges of skittles and striker, fairground bouncy castles and slides, pony rides, a 'spooky' lucky dip, with Lara's face painting proving popular with the children.

A magician intrigued, and the gym club gave synchronised displays, a Falconry display was fascinating, visitors marvelled at the gyrating belly dancers, and the rhythmic African drummers were a definite hit.

In the afternoon the annual dog show sparked some good natured rivalry, with the refreshments and beer marquees serving a steady stream of customers.

Local stallholders such as Bere Ferrers WI, 2nd Bere Alston Scout Group, and Tiddlywinks with their heaven for chocoholics stall, all raised much needed funds, together with others selling jewellery, crafts, plants, presents, books, toys, games and bric-a-brac.

Congratulations were expressed to the organisers Steve Costello and the Carnival Committee. Any profit will be distributed to parish projects.

l There is now a choice of a bingo evening tomorrow (Friday) and/or a concert by the Callington Community Gospel Choir this Saturday (May 9) — these events will complete an extensive carnival menu.