A great time was had by everyone that attended Ashington Festival on Saturday, apart from a small shower the weather was good and the people flocked into the Ashington Recreation Ground.
The day started with a Carnival parading through the village. Leading the Carnival was Carnival Princess 2017 Isabelle Wieland age 9 with her 2 Attendants Phoebe Bush age 5 and Paige Read age 9 also her 2 Pageboys Peter Read age 10 and Isaac Wieland age 5.
And carrying the Ashington Carnival banner was John and Solly Harris from the village’s own Harris Funfair. There were many excellent floats and walking groups and the overall winners from both groups were 1st Ashington 1st Scout Group as ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, 2nd place was Ashington Youth Club & Gym as a ‘Human Roller Coaster’ and 3rd place was the McGrath family with ‘100 years of Ambrosia’.
‘The Medina Marching Band’ from the Isle of Wight were the leading band supported by the ‘Boom Tribe Samba Band’ and the ‘Regis Troopers Majorette Group’.
In the arena, we welcomed back the fantastic ‘Stallions of Substance’ with their beautiful stallions performing tricks, kindly sponsored by Sussex Equestrian Hospital. Then sharing the bill was the Essex Dog Display Team, displaying their skills with their brilliant dogs. And we welcomed back Tom Foolery the popular children’s entertainer sponsored by Saxon Weald.
On the Recreation Ground we had the popular Harris Funfair, a Fun Dog Show sponsored by Arun Veterinary Group, a Car Boot Sale, a Classic Car Show, animals and lots of sideshows and stalls. Also a licensed bar and a Pimms Tent and lots of varieties of food. In the Community Centre was the Flower Show with beautiful flowers and vegetables , arrangements and homemade cakes and crafts.
And the main act for the evening, back by very popular demand was the fabulous Paul Jackson as ‘Freddie Mercury’ who really got the crowd rocking.
And we were delighted to welcome back to the Festival ‘Speedboatz’ a popular local band who were firm favourite at the Festival a few years ago. And a popular disco provided by ‘Retrospect Sound’ got everyone up and dancing.
But the finale was a fantastic Firework display sponsored by Charles Muddle Ltd.
The end of a brilliant day, and the Ashington Festival Committee would like to thank all the sponcers and volunteers who helped to make it such a successful day.
We hope to see you all next year on Saturday 18th of August 2018.
