A BOROUGH town held its annual festival at the weekend, drawing thousands of visitors to the area.
Organisers were delighted with the turnout, and with the weather.
Matt Jacobs, Woodley Community Carnival committee chair, said: “It was another really successful event, and the weather was absolutely amazing.
“We could see rain over Tilehurst, but there wasn’t a drop on the carnival.
“It was wonderful to see so many people in the community out and about enjoying the day.
“A special highlight of the afternoon was the children’s choir drawn from five local primary primary schools, and led by Sarah Sharp.
“They really summed up what this event is all about.”
Afternoon carnival visitors were able to enjoy a funfair, live performances, charity stalls, and free attractions.
Children were able to bounce on an Inflatable World, travel by Smiley Train, watch Team M.A.D’ BMX stunts, and explore inside a Mobile Cave.
There was also a classic car show, a dog agility presentation, a photographic gallery and a flower display.
A special feature was a flyby performance from a Hawker Hurricane.
“It made three passes over the crowd,” said Mr Jacobs.
“And it came so low that we could actually see the pilot in the plane.”
The lineup in the Carnival Arena included The Barberettes, BPD Dance Company, Starmaker Theatre Company, and Kick Twist Cheerleading.
Also performing were: Advanced School of Dance, Anything Goes Theatre Company, Nive Indian Dance, Readiophonics, Woodley Girlguiding, Thames Valley Chorus, Voice Networking, and Primary School Choir.
JAC Outreach brought ponies and a collection of other animals, while transport enthusiasts were able to enjoy displays of traction engines and a model railway.
Evening carnival visitors were able to dance to the music of four bands: Vintage Sound Collective, The Side Project, Brick Top, and Soultrax.
“The evening concert was fabulous too,” said Mr Jacobs.
“Seeing the numbers of people dancing was great.”
The event, which was rounded off with a firework display, raises money for local community groups, societies, clubs and organisations.
“The committee would like to thank all the local volunteers and businesses who made this possible, for their time and their generosity,” Mr Jacobs said.
“Our team of 18 members couldn’t have put this together without them.
“And we’d also like to thank our generous headline sponsors for supporting this community event: Woodleys Estate Agents, Lock Solutions, KJS Solicitors, Trademark Windows, LAX Events, and Woodley Town Council.”
For more information visit: www.woodleycarnival.org.uk
