Phew, What a scorcher!
by MARINA BERRY, Oldham Chronicle

Thousands enjoy a cracker of a carnival

SCORCHING temperatures helped turn a sizzling Alexandra Park into a mass of revellers for the most successful Oldham Carnival since it was brought back to the park four years ago. housands of supporters turned out for a wonderful family weekend, which ran smoothly from the outset with no trouble from anyone.

Procession preparations started well before noon and the start of the parade on Saturday, when 34 entries stretching over one mile long set off from Kings Road. It snaked its way along Park Road to the roundabout and down Ashton Road before turning into Honeywell Lane and over the bridge to arrive back at the park gates.

Honeywell Lane bridge was reopened at the 11th hour so the parade could take its customary route after carnival organisers held a meeting with council officials over fears that work on the bridge which closed the road would not be completed in time. The organisers behind what is now called The People’s Carnival, struck a deal with Oldham - based haulage contractors Kelvin Lord to provide lorries for the floats, and drivers pledged their support for future carnivals.

They carried local clubs and groups, from the Bulldogs ARLFC and Housing Villages - which sported some nifty dance moves from its float, to Oldham Victim Support and Witness Service and Chaddy Hoppers FC, who used special control skills to keep footballs on the vehicle and sink them into nets while on the move.

Supporters of the RSPCA and Pennine Pen animal rescue walked a variety of well-behaved hounds, while other entries danced, sang and cycled their way around the route, collecting for their own charities on the way. Oldham and District mini club celebrated 50 years by entering a fleet of the fun cars in the parade, and Oldham Community Health Services took the opportunity to hand out healthy fruit treats to youngsters eager to see who was next in line.

It took more than an hour for the procession to complete the route, and there was much horn blowing, flag waving, thigh slapping, baton twirling and toe pointing on the way. For the first time this year, people lining the street fell in behind the procession as it passed and marched in its wake to the carnival field.

Events co-ordinator Paul Davies said: “It was great to see. The parade was excellent as usual, it’s getting better all the time. There were good crowds on the street, there was a good atmosphere, and lots of smiling faces from people from all backgrounds and cultures.”

Show hailed the biggest and best yet
...and it’s just the start of greater things to come

WEARY carnival organisers are celebrating after the biggest and best Oldham Carnival for years, and have pledged a mammoth effort to make it bigger than Notting Hill by 2015.

“That is what we want, and we know we can do it,” said events organiser Paul Davies. It’s the biggest weekend we have had since we brought the carnival back four years ago, but it’s going to get bigger and better. We are already working on next year’s carnival and we have a few ideas which I don’t want to reveal yet.”

The enthusiasm of the six-strong committee and the 30-strong team of volunteers who helped on the day produced a carnival for Oldham to be proud of. “There were absolutely thousands of people in the park,” said Paul. The carnival brought families from all parts of the community together in a weekend of fun.

A modest Paul admitted: “We have worked hard, but we all enjoy it. We asked the people of Oldham to support us and they did. We have shown we can make a traditional carnival a big success. There is nothing better than a working-class town like Oldham having its own carnival. People wanted it, they supported it, and from now on it will be known as ‘The People’s Carnival’.”

Entry to the field and entertainment provided by the carnival committee was completely free, and the event also gave an opportunity for local charities to raise awareness of what they do and to raise money at the same time.

“For us, the carnival is more about community spirit than making money, and I would like to thank everyone who helped to make it a success,” said Paul.

There were lots to see and do on the carnival field, and Alexandra Park provided a stunning setting for the fun. Some revellers crowded round the Eskape to the Musik stage to hear local bands play, others meandered around stalls and the fairground, or enjoyed puppet and clown shows. Others found a quieter place on the edge of activity to enjoy family picnics.

Linda Wood travelled from Blackpool, where she moved two years ago, especially for the carnival. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I love it,” said the 45-year-old. “My dad, Ronald Wood, sold balloons, flags and banners along the route for years before he died. We used to help him and my mum, Marjorie, used to sit and watch the parade,” she said.

Julie and her sister, Linda, of Waltham Street, Oldham, made it a real family outing, with the seven children and seven grandchildren they have between them.

The Mayor, Councillor Jim McArdle, spent all Saturday afternoon at the carnival, and a delighted Paul said: “He stayed for four hours and met a lot of people and shook their hands. “He said he was very impressed with everything. It was simply great.”