Since it was first held in 1962 the modern Marple Carnival has become a major event in the local calendar. Marple Carnival Committee have been working hard all year to make the 2008 Carnival - the 46th since its revival - a great success and give the people of Marple a fun day of celebrations. 

There have been even more challenges than usual for the committee this year as there have been problems with the Police and SMBC Highways regarding the marshalling of the parade. You may have even heard rumours that there wasn't going to be a Carnival but that was never the case and it was just the parade that was at risk. However, we are pleased to report that the problems appear to have been overcome and the parade should be going ahead as usual.

The big day this year is Saturday 21st June and the theme is 'The Wonderful World of Colour', which means pretty much anything goes so long as it's bright and cheerful! It should certainly give plenty of scope for the floats and fancy dress and make for a great party atmosphere. Adding to the colour on the day will be the delightful Billerettes, who have only missed one Carnival in goodness knows how many years.

Morley's Fun Fair, which has been linked with the Carnival for forty-one years, will once again be returning to provide entertainment in Brabyns Park over the Carnival weekend - from 19th to 23rd June - there will be something for all the family, so do go along and have a good time.

For early risers looking for bargains, the Carnival Programme starts in Memorial Park at 8.00 am with an enormous boot sale. The Park will be the main focus for most of the day, with a good selection of stalls and side shows. If you're interested in booking a stall for your own organisation ring Chris Armitt on 0161 427 7284. 

The show ring will provide a variety of entertainment throughout the day, including Bob Arkley's Punch and Judy Show, Barrington Powell Magic Acts, the Cheshire Horse Display Team, a Falconry & Birds of Prey Show and a great selection of bands including Marple / Hawk Green Band, Mossley Band, the Fire Brigade Piped Band and Brinnington Samba Band. 

Another favorite attraction will be the PDSA Fun Dog Show. This is great fun for all the family and will take part between 11am and 1pm. All money raised on the day will go to the Otterspool Animal Haven, which is a great local charity. Classes include Best Veteran, Best Puppy, Most Handsome Dog, Best Rescued, Loveliest Eyes, Prettiest Bitch, Best Six Legs, Waggiest Tail and Best Trick! There will also be a "Best in Show" chosen from the winners of each class, trophies and prizes for the winners and rosettes for all. There is an entry fee of £1 per dog per class and for more information contact Jane Waterfield on 0161 456 9277.

The Carnival Grand Parade kicks off at 2.00pm, following the normal route. As usual the parade is expected to feature a large cross-section of our local community, schools and organisations. Anyone wishing to take part in the parade should contact Parade Officer, Dave Bluff, on 0161 449 8167.

After the parade one of the main events in the show ring will be the crowning of the 2008 Carnival Queen, Laura Wynne, at 4.00 pm. Laura, who is 13 years old and goes to Marple Hall School, will be helping to raise money for the Tree House children's ward at Stepping Hill Hospital. Laura enjoys sports including dance, gymnastics and hockey.

Laura will be joined by Carnival Princess Katie Davies. Katie, aged eight, is a pupil at Peacefield Primary School. She swims with Marple Swimming Club, enjoys being a Brownie and is learning to play the tenor horn. Katie enjoys looking after her goldfish and playing with the family dog Monty and budgie Jack. On the big day the girls will be dressed in their special Carnival gowns and wearing hand-crafted tiaras provided by Tinkerbelltiaras.com. If you are interested in becoming a future Carnival Queen, Princess or Rosebud the committee are currently seeking 'Royals' for the 2009 Carnival.

Good wishes are sent to the new Queen and Princess from last year's retiring Queen, Jodie Greenbank, retiring Princess Rebecca Atkinson and retiring Rosebud Elodie Potts. They enjoyed their reign as Marple Carnival Royalty in 2007, whilst raising money for a variety of local charities. Last year the girls, shown below on the day, were crowned by Marple's very own Olympic Swimming Champion, Matthew Walker. More pictures of this and other photos from last year can be seen in the Virtual Tour 2007 Carnival photo gallery.

2007 Carnival Queen Jodie

2007 Carnival Princess Rebecca

2007 Carnival Rosebud Elodie

New Horizons, the canal boat for the disabled, will again be moored at Possett Bridge next to the park. New Horizons, the specially equipped boat commissioned in 1981 by Prince Charles, is manned by a full-time skipper and volunteer crew, who will welcome visitors aboard to show them around on Carnival Day. The Stockport Canal Boat Trust has launched an appeal this year to help 'Float their Boat' and you will be able to sign up for this on the day if you wish. For more information about New Horizons, visit their web site run by former Skipper, Bill Beard.

For a pictorial record of Marple's Carnivals going back several years, take a look at the Carnival Photo Archive. If you manage to take any great photos of the day this year that you would like to submit to the archive, just get in touch by using our contacts page.

Many people think the Carnival takes place overnight but this is far from the truth. Planning and fund raising is an all-year-round task. The Carnival Car Boot Sales, held at Rose Hill Station Car Park on the last Sunday of each month between March and October, make a major contribution to these funds. The dates and times of the Boot Sales are detailed in the Community Events section of the Notice Board. A stall costs only £8 (£9 on Carnival Day), ring Jay on 0161 427 6622 further information.

Committee Members 2008, left to right: Chris Armitt, David Bluff, Rachel Armitt, Karen Bluff, Joan Armitt, Dorothy Ardern, Jay Havoleana,  Karen Wilson, Collette Greenbank, Craig Greenbank, & Bill Ardern

It costs a surprising amount of money to put on a celebration like this and in addition to their other fund-raising activities the Carnival Committee run a scheme where any firm, organisation or individual wishing to make a donation of £5 or more can be listed as a Vice-President in the Carnival Programme. If you would like to make a donation and get your name in next year's programme, get in touch with Carnival Committee Chairman Bill Ardern on 0161 355 9118.