ENTHUSIASTIC crowds welcomed a piratical bunch ashore at Christchurch as the 96th annual carnival got underway on Saturday evening (August 14).

With a Disney theme, there was plenty of opportunity for evil Captain Hooks flying the skull and crossbones to fight for the prizes with recreations of 101 Dalmatians and Monsters Inc.

With their name, Christchurch Lions Club had little option but to go for The Jungle Book with five-year-old Lauren Deacon as Mowgli.

The Marmion Green entry of Peter Pan had a cast of 24 including nine-year-old Cassie Graham as Tinkerbell and eight-year-old Frazer Dean as Peter Pan.

There were also a pair of pirates, a crocodile, Mr and Mrs Darling, Wendy and Michael and Richard Wilson as Captain Hook.

Mr Wilson called for other street entries in the future, saying it was the way forward for carnival in Christchurch. Just Friends from Somerford got Mickey Mouse fever with Mickey's World of Carnival.

The entry starred 20 friends aged from two years like Olivia Flexman and Faith Caines, to 67-year-old twins Thelma Hiriart and Tannia Caines.

Their costumes were all home made and featured nations of the world including Spain, Greece, India, Turkey, Japan, Canada, Lapland, England, Brazil, China and Mexico.

Two super clowns, Ray Iles and Tim Andrews, made the journey from Shilling Okeford to be in Christchurch Carnival.

In addition to Christchurch's own carnival queen Chloe Smith, 15, from Southbourne and princess Charlotte Payne, nine, from Hurn, there were visiting Queens from Bournemouth, the Friends and Residents of the Grange (FROGS) and Swanage.

The carnival was led by Christchurch Scout and Guide Band which teamed up with Dorset Youth Marching Band. More music was provided by the Dolphin Marching Band.

The salver for the visiting queens went to Swanage with Leanne Fenton (Queen), Annalese Heane and Michaela Olive.

Second went to FROGS' Emma Perkins with Eden Warne, Emily Treadwell and Shannon Butler. Bournemouth's Heidi McDonald, with Lindsay Lewis, Kelly Stroud and Chantelle Lewis, was third.

Other awards: Motorised adult group (Pam Newland Cup): 1, Christchurch Lions; 2, FROGS' 101 Dalmatians; 3, Champagne Leisure with the only C5 with a towbar as Captain Hook. Youth group walking (Telecom Cup): 1, Youth Inclusion as Monsters Inc; 2, Just Friends; 3, premature baby support group Bliss with 101 Dalmatians. Youth walking (Marble Trophy): Marmion Green's Peter Pan; 2, Snow White. Adult walking (Coles Cup): C5 with Tony Saward as Cpt Hook; 2, Heidi Cobley as a mermaid; 3, Joe Prior with Pudsey Bear and the Fun Train. The Twirlstars won the majorettes' award and Just Friends of Somerford were best overall for the standard of their costumes.

First published: August 16