Weather is kind to Pontypool carnival (From Free Press Series)

Weather is kind to Pontypool carnival

2:30pm Monday 13th July 2009

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MORE than 5,000 people packed into Pontypool Park on Saturday to witness the annual carnival.

With a history dating back over 80 years, the Pontypool Carnival saw people line the route of the procession and watch a number of acts perform inside the main arena.

The weather having held off, the procession started at 2pm from the Riverside car park. Led by the New Inn Royals Jazz Band and Torfaen mayor Bob Jones, it wound through the streets of Pontypool before arriving at the town’s rugby pitch.

Carnival queen Rebekah Browne, 17, from Pontnewynydd waved to onlookers from a cream cadillac.

The theme for this year’s event was fables and folklore and children from Pontypool schools - including Penygarn, Pontymoile and Victoria Street primaries - joined the parade dressed as dragons, fairies, insects and mythical creatures.

Procession members were welcomed to the main arena, where they did a lap of the rugby field to waves and cheers from the grand stands.

A fair was set up in Pontypool Park and attractions included a martial arts demonstration, cheerleading, dance groups and a Punch and Judy show. The Mighty Smith, former world strongest man contestant Adrian Smith, also wowed the crowds by pulling a car with his teeth.

In total, the event cost £10,000 to put on, met by Torfaen Council, Pontypool Community Council and Pontypool Regeneration Partnership.

Organiser Verity Hiscocks said: “I was worried the weather would put people off, but all the stall holders turned up and we had a huge crowd."

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