By Caroline Ivison

Last updated at 11:46, Monday, 23 July 2012

Hundreds of people lined the streets of Broughton to show their support to the village carnival in the hope that it will continue for another 67 years.

The Maryport Superheroes were raising money for Breast Cancer Awareness

All the people involved, including the hard-working committee, are determined to keep alive the carnival, which first started in 1945.

John Dobie, carnival committee chairman, missed his first carnival in 30 years last year when he was taken ill.

He said: “It’s great to be back. The carnival is a wonderful tradition and that is why I have been involved for so many years.”

The carnival procession was forced to assemble on Moor Road after recent wet weather flooded the field normally used as a starting point.

But on Saturday there was no sign of rain and the carnival basked in warm sunshine.

The carnival procession was led out by North Tyneside Pipe Band and Workington MP Tony Cunningham.

Allerdale’s mayor Carol Armstrong, Workington mayor Andrew Lawson and Cockermouth mayor Isobel Burns all turned out to show their support.

Bertie Rayson, 65, of Great Broughton, entertained the crowds with his float ‘Swan Lake and Bertie’s Ballet Babes’. It was his 59th year in the carnival.

He said: “I like the community spirit, local people getting together, everyone mixing in and enjoying themselves and enjoying the day. That is what it is all about.”

Another float that got the crowds giggling was ‘Brow’ton Down at Old El Paso’ from the Sun Dial pub. It won the prize for the best entertainment on the carnival route.

The pub and its patrons have been taking part in the carnival for about 30 years, and always provide a colourful entry with lots of laughs for the crowds.

David Barnes said: “Sadly the carnivals are dying out in Cumbria and we want to keep this one going. It is brilliant to see all the people from the village that are taking part.”

Retiring carnival queen Erin Graves continued a family tradition by taking part.

Her grandma Sue Leach makes all the floats and has been involved in the carnival for 34 years.

Sue said: “I just hope it keeps going and it doesn’t die away like a lot of them have.”

Ann Tyson, of Little Broughton, whose granddaughter Natasha was snow queen, said: “It has been going on for years and I would hate to see it stop so that it why I put my granddaughter in.

“I think what makes this carnival special is the atmosphere.”

Bringing up the rear of the procession was Highland Hike and Bike, a group of nine men from Maryport who are doing various challenges over the summer to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness.

The queens, including carnival queen Megan Kirkbride and rose queen Millie Routledge, were crowned after the procession and all the children who took part were given a rosette.

Anne Davis, carnival committee member, said: “We just want to thank everyone who took part, helped or turned out to watch. “Also a big, big thank you to the pipe band who led the procession at very short notice and who also played for the crowning ceremony.”

First published at 11:28, Monday, 23 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk