By Mal Butler
Lord-Lieutenant Susie Sheldon was dressed as never before, as she took part in the fun of the Yarmouth Carnival on Saturday.
Susie was there with her family, dressed as a fish, as part of the ‘Neptune’s Chariot’ float, along with Troy the pony and her daughter, Sophie, and son-in-law, Will Jackson.
The carnival was the culmination to a week of entertainment and games including cardboard boat races, crabbing, kite-making, a treasure hunt, and Teddy Bear’s Picnic, as well as a historical talk entitled ‘Interesting Facts of Isle of Wight History’, by Kevin Shaw.
The theme was ‘Under the Sea’, with local charities and community groups all making an effort with their costumes, including the Yarmouth Women’s Institute, who won a first prize with their ‘Jelly Wishes’ float, along with the Yarmouth Mermaids and Yellow Submarine. Hill Farm Stables, led by Jess Brown, brought a large contingent of horses for their mermaid entry.
The new spirt of Carnival is Amalie Preece, 11, from Freshwater, while the Mallishag was Monty Ashton.
The Carnival season wraps up over the next eight days, starting with St Helens on Bank Holiday Monday, at 6.30pm from The Green. On Thursday it’s the Ryde Main Carnival, from Ryde Canoe Lake at 6.30pm, and next Saturday, September 5, the final event, the Ryde Illuminated Carnival, from the Canoe Lake at 8.30pm.
Isle of Wight Observer