Next Carnival
Saturday 20 June 2009

2009 Parade Theme: Board Games

Everyone is welcome to join in the parade, starting at 4.15pm from Harry Carlton School. Please contact Mel Roper on 07843 010638 or email mel.roper@hotmail.co.uk to register yourselves in the parade (even if you are a walking entry), so you are on the judging sheet, so we are expecting you and so we can let you know of any last minute changes to arrangements!

We do have trailers available for use in the parade, but these are on a first come first served basis, so don't delay in contacting me, details above, or complete the booking form below!

If you would like to run a stall at the Carnival, pitches are available to hire at a cost of £20 (reductions are made for charities), again please complete a booking form to guarantee your pitch.

2008 Photos Now Ready For Viewing
See Below ...

Village Carnival

The East Leake Carnival is an entertaining afternoon for all, to celebrate real commnity spirit and village life. The Carnival is one of the biggest events held annually in East Leake, commencing with a parade through the village centre at 4.15pm (finishing at St Mary's Church) followed by entertainment by DJ's, various stage shows and a variety of stalls held by local organisations and individuals.

The date of the next Carnival is Saturday 20 June 2009 and the theme for the parade this year is "Board Games".

Some organisations prefer to walk in the parade but we are lucky enough to be able to borrow several trailer floats for the parade so if you're an organisation, school, company, a group of friends or just an exhibitionist with a fancy dress suit who wants to be involved in the fun please get in touch, the bigger the parade, the better!

Pitches are available for hire. There is a Programme of Events for the Carnival and by supporting this event with an advert you will raise your business/organisation's profile throughout East Leake and further afield.

If you have any questions or queries or require further information please email me, mel.roper@hotmail.co.uk.

I hope you enjoy browsing through some of the photographs below which capture some of the magical moments of the previous Carnivals.

2005 - The First Village Carnival

I had felt for a while that there was something missing from the village and in my thirty something years in East Leake had witnessed some fantastic events, but none since the Jubilee. After one too many drinks on Boxing Day I found a couple of others who felt the same way and in February the Carnival Committee was formed and there was no going back. A huge thank you to my fellow committee members for their endless source of advice, ideas, help and encouragement.

After letters were sent out to most organisations/shops/schools/ clubs in East Leake it was reassuring as their replies came flooding back. I realised then that we weren’t the only ones missing the good old days and for those new to East Leake they were intrigued to find out what it used to be like! Not in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine it would be the village event it turned out to be!

Being a member of Revival, the marching band leading the parade, we set off down Castle Hill and as we turned onto Main Street the shear volume of people along the roadside was overwhelming, two or three deep at some points. It was fantastic! It made the huge amount of effort that people had put into their floats all worthwhile to think that so many people had turned out to see them.

When we arrived at Brookside there was a real buzz, the stallholders were doing a roaring trade and the entertainment was underway. Hayley Masom our local friendly photographer was our compare and an excellent job she did too! Congratulations to Brookside and Lantern Lane Schools, Sharon Wood Dance and Drama School and ELAPS for their excellent performances.

Although it turned a bit chilly, those who stayed enjoyed the entertainment of the herb-birds and as the evening drew to a close with the final few songs played by DJ’s Sam and Joe the carnival spirits rose to an all-time high and we didn’t want it to end!

Our aim was to achieve an entertaining afternoon for all, to celebrate real community spirit and village life and from the feedback we have received so far I think we achieved our aim! It was an event we can all be proud of and if you were unfortunate enough to have missed it, never mind, there’s always next year, put it in your diaries, 24 June 2006, not to be missed, we hope it will be bigger and better than ever!