Life's a beach at Wombourne Carnival
We may live in the land-locked Midlands, but that didn't stop more than 6,000 carnival-goers from celebrating the great British seaside.
Donkey rides, sandcastles and fish and chips were the order of the day at Wombourne Carnival.
The theme for this year's event was a day at the Great British seaside with visitors able to cheer on some suitably decorated floats. As part of the day, organisers had arranged their very own Wombourne Beach with donkey rides, fish and chips, sandcastle competitions, a beach bar and the radio 'Wom' roadshow.
Carnival committee chairman Victoria Bratt said: "It's been absolutely brilliant. The whole community has come out and lined the streets to support us.
"Not only that, but in the weeks leading up to the carnival we've had shops doing themed window displays and schools doing themed activities. It's really been taken on by everyone and you can tell that by how many people turned up.
"It was absolutely rammed here to be honest. Crowds lining the streets were three-people deep in parts. I couldn't believe it.
"The theme worked so well. We had sandpits to build sandcastles, swingboats, donkey rides and fish and chips – everything for a proper, classic great British day at the seaside.
"I think we had anything from 6,000 to 8,000 people turn out. Wombourne was full. I'm just so proud of everyone that has taken part and helped to make it such a success."
There was a wide variety of stalls made up of independent traders, local businesses, community groups and local charities, as well as lots of family entertainment including a funfair, bands, music groups, dance and drama groups, a women's institute event and the Wombourne Village Quacky Races.
The day started with the official float judging, followed by the carnival parade.
The winning float was created by St John's Primary School, Wombourne Road, Swindon. Organised by members of the Wombourne Women's Institute, the event also showcased four live bands – Urban Horses, Usual Suspects, The 2 Richards and The Regulars, as well as a junior rugby team, the community pop choir, the High Flyers singers and the Wombourne School of Music.
There were also suitably themed cookery classes and competitions.
with participants asked to make their best 'Yarmouth biscuits' and a three-tiered 'Magic brownies' cake.
