THE downpour of rain failed to dampen the spirit of visitors and participants of this year's Bere Alston Carnival on Saturday.

Floats, walkers and riders assembled on the recreation field in Bere Alston for the judging of the annual carnival procession entries, with a theme of theatre and panto.

The site was flooded with colour and excitement as the judges — Mr C G Phillips and his wife Shirley from Tavistock — made their decisions.

The carnival queen Harriott Smith, 10, and attendants Amelia Howard, 7 and Jessica Bartlett, 8, headed the carnival parade, while people flooded the streets to watch the procession ride through the village.

Tea was provided in the parish hall for all participants while the carnival queen and her attendants presided over the presentation of coveted trophies and prizes.

Winners of the artistic floats category were the Peninsula Players in first place, Tiddlywinks and Chatterbox, joint second, and Colleytown Shetland Stud, third.

Tracey's Childminding was first in the comedy floats category with the Edgcumbe in second and Bere Ferrers WI in third. First for walking was Jazzmine, with Jessica in second place and for the group walking category the cubs came first, brownies second and Cabin Childcare third.

West View Residential Home received first place for the something different category.

First place in the horses category was Christine Robinson, with Louise Harrison in second place and Mahri Milne in third place. First in the outstanding vehicle category went to Mr Hugh Harrison and his 1934 Sunbeam, second place went to Harold Stevens and his tractor MCO; third was the Vandan Plas cream saloon and in fourth was Ian Minshall with his Fordson Major. Tavistock won the visiting queens category.

The Bere Alston Carnival committee also hosted the traditional fun day over the weekend, with MC Adam Smith introducing the first demo by the world record holder for stunt trials — BMX rider Andrei Burton, to an appreciative audience.

Local charities and organisations held stalls as well as displays by the Tamar and Tavy Apple Group, the Weir Quay Sailing Club, Holy Trinity Church, the Parish Plan Group, Friends of Bere Alston School, the Craft Club and the Bere Community Project Stall.

There was much to interest and amuse everyone throughout the day with craft demonstrations, unicyclists, a bouncy castle, tombola, bar and candy floss.

Celebrations for the royal wedding were also in full swing at the weekend, with Bere Ferrers holding a 'Tea on the Quay' where children and adults dressed in royal fashion and were presented with commemorative mugs. The celebrations continued in the evening at the Old Plough Inn with a barbecue and singing and dancing.

Bere Alston residents celebrated the wedding with picnics on the school field, followed by a host of activities, including animal modelling, arts and crafts, designing commemorative stamps, making crowns and tiaras and a wedding themed treasure hunt.