THE true spirit of community carnival won through from the moment South Zeal?s annual event began with young children gathering on a rain-soaked afternoon for their fancy-dress competition and parade. And it lasted until the last of those in the evening main procession left the village lane for the warmth of home.
The young ones may have missed their own parade because of the weather but the fun enjoyed in Victory Hall instead soon made up for that and added value came when the St John Boys? Brigade Band entertained with their marvellous music.
The afternoon?s weather did affect the evening event and some ?visiting? floats, with distance to travel, reluctantly decided to withdraw.
Slightly depleted but undaunted the floats and walking entries filled the assembly area as time approached for judging. Villagers thronged the lane as the colourful carnival procession enjoyed a break in the weather. The parade was led by carnival queen Lyndsey Conner, attended by Sophie Hookway, Hayley Hale and Abbie and Gina Brint with carnival prince Callum and princess Bethany Webber.
Participation by Tavistock Majorettes and the musicians of the Hatherleigh Band was much appreciated.
Carnival results. Afternoon ? Under 5 years: 1, Puss in Boots, Emily Glanville; 2, Bob the Builder. Five-7, 1, Has Anyone Seen My Picnic?, Laura Bazeley; 2, Oriental Girl, Sasha Heal; joint 3, Unicorn, Zoe Williams/Fairy, Nicole Payne. Eight-9 years: 1, Roman, Lewis Day; 2, Army Man, Luke Liversidge. Ten-11 years: 1, Leader of the Pack, Thomas Mallet; 2, Great Escape, Thomas White.
Pairs: 1, China Tea, Abbie Brint and Sara Liversidge; 2, Hansel and Gretel, Josh and Jess Punchard; joint third, Witches, Bonnie Bolt and Ella Border/Walker?s Crisps, Conner and Gina Brint. Groups: 1, South Zeal Fire Brigade, South Zeal Beavers; 2, Old MacDonald, South Zeal Toddler Group; 3, Mini Olympics, South Zeal Pre-School.
Over 12s: 1, Comic Hero, Sam Pritchard; 2, Christmas Tree, Anuska Pritchard.
Overall winner: Leader of the Pack, Thomas Mallet. Carnival Prince, Callum Mallet; carnival princess, Bethany Webber.
Evening results: Artistic: Enchanted Forest, Sticklepath Fire Show. Comic: 1, Ramsley?s Kitchen from Hell, King?s Arms; 2, Bob the Vet, Shebbear Wanderers. Trade: Dartmoor Dairy.
Original: 1, Hallowe?en Party, Shaddick family; 2, Hansel and Gretel, Punchard family; 3, Smugglers of South Zeal Bay, Falconers. Topical: 1, Chinese Year of the Monkey, Liversidge family; 2, Snowy White Horses, Guscott family.
Walking individuals: 1, Christmas Tree, Anuska Pritchard; 2, Comic Hero, Sam Pritchard; 3, Leader of the Pack, Thomas Mallet. Walking groups: 1, Olympics, South Zeal WI; 2, The Osbornes, Grace Davey, Abbie Webber, Lucy Henry, Ellen Pillar.
Pedestrian controlled vehicles: 1, Devon Air Ambulance, Cooper family. Best children?s float: Hallowe?en Party, Shaddick family. Best visiting float, Bob the Vet, Shebbear Wanderers. Best walking entry: Olympics, South Zeal WI. Best local overall entry: Chinese Year of the Monkey, Liversidge family.