Melksham Carnival 2003
It's Carnival time again! The 2003 Melksham Carnival is set to take place on Saturday 16th August and it should be another great day.
Rock 'n' Roll Night & Live Music
Melksham Rock 'n' Roll in conjunction with Melksham Carnival presents 'The Firebirds' plus the legendary Wee Willie Harris on 9th August at Melksham Assembly Hall. Also present will be resident DJ Cockney Rebel. A whole host of live music events is planned for the town as part of carnival week.
Treasure Hunt
The popular treasure hunt will be held on Tuesday 12th August. Get your cars filled up with petrol and put on your best running shoes for a treasure hunt of a different kind. Meet at the British Legion car park in King Street at 6.00pm. For more information contact Richard Jones on (01225) 344582.
Carnival Quiz
Popular quiz master, Brian Martin, will again be shooting the questions, straight from the hip, in his no nonsense style! The quiz is at the Conservative Club on Wednesday 13th August, starting at 7.30pm and there will be cash prizes for the winners! Entry forms for quiz teams can be obtained in advance from Melksham Information Centre, Melksham Independent News office or the Carnival programme, and can be handed back in when completed with the entry fee (£10 per team of four people). Alternatively, teams may turn up and enter on the night, which will be subject to table availability.
Paint-a-Pet
The ever-popular Paint-a-Pet competition organised by Petstown is back for another year! The annual painting competition is for all ages up to 16 years (judged in four age groups). Entry forms for the competition are available from Petstown. Please note, this is a paint-a-pet competition not wild animals. All entries must be returned to Petstown by 9th August.
Spot the Oddity
Spot the Oddity will also be back and carnival programmes, containing the entry form, are available from various outlets, including Melksham Information Centre. Shopkeepers will display their oddities in their window from 6.00pm on Friday 8th August to 6.00pm on Monday 18th August. All entries must be posted or delivered to Spot the Oddity Competition, c/o Kavanaghs Estate Agents, 13 High Street, Melksham (to arrive no later than noon on Wednesday 20th August). More information on page 17 of the carnival programme
Folk Evening
There will also be a Folk Evening at the Rachel Fowler Centre on Thursday 14th August.
Dog Show
New for this year is a dog show at King George V playing field from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Application forms from Melksham Information Centre.
Craft Fayre
From 10.00am to 4.00pm there will be a Craft Fayre at Melksham Assembly Hall. Wood-turning, glass painting, home-made greetings cards, jewellery, wooden toys, soft toys and much more will be on sale. Entry is free but donations are welcome. Contact Christine Deadman on (01225) 708948.
Children's Fancy Dress
Children's Fancy Dress will be at 5.00pm at Cooper Avon car park (or in the scout hut if it's wet). For more details contact Julie Abbot on (01225) 703433. An entry form is in the Carnival programme.
Carnival Procession
The Carnival Procession will start as usual from Cooper Avon car park at 6.00pm, travel up Bank Street, turn left into Lowbourne, right into Ruskin Avenue. Then left into Pembroke Road, right into Coronation Road, onto Warwick Crescent, Kenilworth Gardens, Waverley Gardens, Semington Road, King Street, Market Place and returns to the Cooper Avon car park.
Please note, floats must be assembled by 4.00pm. If you would like to enter a float or the fancy dress competition for the carnival fill in the entry forms. Please note, entrants must pick up a safety guidance sheet from Melksham Information Centre or Melksham Independent News office which must accompany the entry form.
Party in the Park & Fireworks
The Party in the Park will run from 6.30pm to 10.00pm with plenty of side shows, beer tent, food, arena events and demonstrations. Boomerang will be there along with quad bikes and ive music. The popular fireworks by Pains Fireworks will be back at 9.30pm to end the evening with a bang!
Open House
From 3.00pm to 6.00pm it will be Open House on Carnival Day at the United Reform Church in the High Street. A BBQ, tea and coffee run by the Melksham Family of Churches, will be available.
Carnival Raffle
The Carnival Raffle is being sponsored by Lowden Nurseries in Shaw who are offering a first prize of £300 and a second prize of £200 worth of vouchers. The generosity of local businesses has meant that there are other great prizes on offer also; such as a six day pass to Center Parcs, a colour TV, a vacuum cleaner, a night's accommodation at The Kings Arms Hotel, McDonald's vouchers plus many more exciting offers. Money raised will go to local charities so please buy tickets. They are available from Melksham Information Centre and various outlets in town. At 20p a ticket they are a bargain. The raffle will be drawn at 8.30pm at Party in the Park.
Fishing
After the carnival the atmosphere and fund-raising doesn't end there. On Sunday 7th September there will be a Carnival Fishing Match at the Kennet and Avon Canal at Semington. Tickets are £12 all in. Available from the organiser, Jim Escott, on (01225) 708814.
