I woke up on Saturday 5th July, looked out of my bedroom window and was met with grey sky's and heavey rain, not the ideal weather for a Carnival Parade, but you have to have hope, thinking of all the hard work the organisers have put in during the run up to this event.

I was instructed to meet the Carnival Queen (Felicity "Flick" Dobson)and her attendants (who were actually her two younger siters) at the Coronation Hall at 12-00 noon for a photo call. After the photos had been taken it was off to the Market Cross to lay a poppy wreath at the cenotaph, by this time the rain had stopped. I returned to the Coronation Hall to watch the parade from the balcony with other invited guests. Flick and her attendants made their way to take part in the parade. The rain held off for most of the parade, there were lots of floats the theme of this years event was "Wonderful World". Marching bands gave colour and music to the event. After the parade entertainment was due to take place in Buxton Street Car Park but the weather certainly put a damper on this. Parade's as we all know are enjoyable evens but are dependant on the weather. Well done to the organisers and don't be too disappointed there is always next year.