Carnival pulls in the crowds as weather relents

2:59pm Monday 5th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

DESPITE the gloomy forecast Ilkley Carnival was today awash with happy visitors rather than rain as the event drew in massive crowds.

Attending his first Ilkley Carnival, Bradford Lord Mayor Councillor Robin Owens admitted to being surprised when he realised how many people had attended.

"I did not know how many people lived in Ilkley - it is a huge crowd," said Coun Owens. He added: "When I got on the bus and looked back the road was full as far as I could see. It was incredible."

The parade began just after lunch with schools, bands and other groups marching along The Grove, down Brook Street and up Weston Road to East Holmes Field.

The theme of the event this year was Hooray for Hollywood and the schools took the theme as a prompt to dress up as characters from various films including Bugsy Malone, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Wizard of Oz.

For Ilkley MP Ann Cryer, attending her 11th Carnival, the large crowd was expected because the rain held off.

As the winners of the decorated floats and walking tableaux were announced she said: "I would like to thank all those teachers and mums and dads who have shown terrific imagination and the skill to put that imagination into practice, together with the hard work of all the girls and boys.

Best Decorated Float - Ben Rhyddding Scouts and Guides; Best Walking Tableaux - Ben Rhydding Primary School; Most Original Float - Ghyll Royd School; Most Original Walking Tableaux - Westville House.