This week’s nominees for the Pride of South Holland Award are the organisers of the Pinchbeck Carnival.
The person who nominated those behind the event said: “This small volunteer committee has been organising and running this much loved Village Carnival for 38 years and it is an incredibly important part of village life.
“They have built it up over the years and everyone works so hard leading up to the day.
“It brings together the whole community, uniformed groups, schools, social groups, churches, every part of village life is represented.
“The committee comes up with a topical and workable theme and every year the village rises to the challenge.
“They bring their individual skills to the meeting and work so well together, the same committee contributing to every minute of the event.
“Generations of children have paraded around the village in various fantastical costumes or ridden on decorated floats come rain or shine.
“These are from all organisations which the committee have spoken to, to get them involved and working together as a team to help make the event colourful and entertaining as well as getting the community involved.
“This is one of the largest village carnivals in the county and takes months of organising with hours of ringing, e-mailing and letter writing to be undertaken.
“The marvellous thing about the carnival is that it brings the whole community together and puts a heart and soul into village lives. Everyone flocks to this wonderful event and the whole weekend is full of events and fun for all
“Even the Sunday service is held in the marquee and a Sunday lunch with amazing music from local musicians ends the weekend’s festival.
“Several weeks before the big day a talent show helps choose the Carnival Queen, Prince and Princess with the winners riding in a decorated float around the village,
“Many local charities use the event as a fundraiser and many receive an award for the best stall or float a contest that’s always hotly contested.
“People come out to line the streets to welcome the parade to the carnival in the village field.
“The craft show engages with people while the WI run the massive cake stall and teas and coffees by the gallon are drunk.
“We are truly blessed in Pinchbeck to have such a committed and dedicated team to arrange and run this event and I have no hesitation in putting them forward for this award. There isn’t another carnival like it and the work involved is huge but this never deters the group to help make the next a success.
