ST HELENS CARNIVAL ROYALTY CHOSEN FOR 125TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR

St Helens Carnival Committee has chosen its queens for the 2024 season, which will mark a special 125th anniversary year. Matilda Squibb has been selected as Carnival Queen, attended by Belle Delannoy, Emily Brewer-Smith and Clara Hughes. It is a special year for St Helens as the village is celebrating the 125th anniversary of its annual sports and carnival, which will take place on August Bank Holiday Monday (26th August). The first event took place on 16th September 1899 and featured events such as the ‘Slow Bicycle Race for Ladies’, the ‘Bucket of Water Race’ and a ‘Bun Competition’ in the programme. In the carnival parade that followed prizes were awarded to the best costumes, including the gentleman’s prize going to ‘Organ Grinder’, the girls prize going to ‘Turkish girl’ and the boys special prize going to ‘Tobacco’!

The organising committee are hoping to bring some of the elements of what happened in 1899 to the 2024 Sports and are organising additional events to mark 125 years of the sports and carnival. The team is also constructing a carnival float that will celebrate the anniversary. As always, the carnival season will get underway in Newport on Saturday 24th July with a full calendar of main and illuminated processions planned for 2024, which St Helens will attend. The Sports and Carnival Committee relies on volunteers. If anyone is interested in helping, contact the Parish Clerk Jacky Matthews on [email protected].

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Newport Carnival has also selected its Royalty for 2024 this week. Rosie, Willow, Violet and Delilah will be gracing the float, with Eden and Arthur selected as reserves.