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Carnival procession hailed the best yet after thousands line the streets

Karen Bethell

Published: 9:35 PM August 7, 2019 Updated: 9:27 AM October 11, 2020

Sheringham Carnival procession, which has been hailed one of the "best ever".Photo: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant

Sheringham Carnival has been hailed one of the 'best yet', after thousands turned out to watch one of the town's biggest parades in recent years.

Sheringham Carnival procession, which has been hailed one of the "best ever".Photo: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant

A loud cheer went up as five-year-old Sheringham Primary School pupil Benny Pitcher, who is being treated for a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer, led a procession featuring dozens of floats, including local charities, community groups and a pair of life-sized elephant puppets brought along as part of a partnership between Sheringham Carnival Association and Norwich City Council.

Crowds lining the streets danced along to music from the City of Norwich Pipe Band, Norwich Samba Band and the Smokehouse Blue Marching Jazz Band, while others taking part included a group of engineers working on repairing the sinkhole in High Street and adults and chidren from Sheringham Plastic Aware Group, who wore costumes made for this year's Norwich Lord Mayor's Celebration.

Sheringham Carnival procession, which has been hailed one of the "best ever".Photo: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant

Overall winners were Sheringham Primary School with their 'There is No Planet B', walking float, which featured environment-themed banners and costumes made at an after-school club, while others bagging trophies included Ladybird Pre-School Nursery and the Cromer Carnival 'royal' family.

Carnival chairman Stuart McClean said the procession was a fitting end to an "absolutely amazing" day.

Sheringham Carnival procession, which has been hailed one of the "best ever".Photo: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant

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"We had a wonderful street fair, people have been out en masse, and to have the elephants, along with the connection with Norwich City Council and such a fabulous array of floats, we couldn't have asked for more."

The committee was now looking forward to the rest of the week's programme, which will culminate on Sunday with a torchlit procession and fireworks display, Mr McClean added.

Sheringham Carnival procession, which has been hailed one of the "best ever".Photo: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant

Praising carnival committee members and volunteers for their hard work, town mayor Madeleine Ashcroft said: "I think the carnival has really been taken up a notch this year and we are incredibly grateful to all the people who work so hard to organise such a fantastic programme of events for Sheringham,"

The torchlit procession will set off from the Lobster pub at 9pm on Sunday, with the grand finale fireworks display kicking off at the Leas clifftop gardens at 9.45pm.

Sheringham Carnival procession, which has been hailed one of the "best ever".Photo: KAREN BETHELL - Credit: Archant

For more information, visit the Sheringham Carnival (official) Facebook page.