Cromer Carnival 2008

Welcome to the Cromer Carnival web site.

Lots of photos on the site now - click the 'Photos 2008' button to see them and head for (or phone) Photosprint in Hamilton Road for your copy. There's also a video report now up on the www.northnorfolk.tv site.

A great Fancy Dress Dance to finish things off on Friday evening. Apologies to anyone that I had to push around a bit to take the photos - but they're all now up on the 'Photos 2008' page. Also I missed putting some of the pictures up last night - but they're there now - so look in both Carnival Dance Part 1 and Carnival Dance Part 2.

I'm sure all those at the dance would like to thank the organising team for all the work that has gone it to making it such a success. The originality and inventiveness that goes into many of those great costumes is truly amazing. I think I'd have given the top group prize to the dragon or the ice creams but then I wasn't one of the judges and the winners were terrific as well. Again, congratulations to all.

And congratulations as well to the Smiths and their winning Cromer Carnival Olympics entry in the Decorated Beach Huts - can we get 'tide fighting' in for London 2012 as I'm sure a Cromer team could win that one. Pictures on 'Photos 2008'.

I hope you all enjoyed the lantern parade and the fireworks. Pictures from the evening are now up on the site - some photos of those getting ready for the parade, some whilst the parade was on and then the fireworks themselves.

It was a bit wet at the Party in the Park on Thursday afternoon. But no-one was downcast, as you'll see from the photos - there was just a bit of dodging in and out of shelter or under brollies when it was necessary to do so.

Just a quick note on the pictures on the 'Photos 2008' button. You may have had problems accessing these early in the week, depending on which browser you use. We did some work on the code which should have sorted things out - send us a note on the 'Any Questions' - Web Site option if you still have difficulties.

A great Wednesday parade once again. Momentary panic and memories of last year as a shower came down just before the judges arrived on scene but fortunately it was nothing like 2007. My ears haven't quite recovered from filming in the middle of the Samba band - great rhythm but I didn't realise it was so loud if you're part of the team. Nice to welcome Martin Barber from the BBC web site; we've shared a few pictures for the evening. See Martin's pictures at BBC Norfolk Web

And I have had to mention with the photo of the BoldDog Lings that the picture of the motorcycle upside down is really not a case of putting the photo ont he wrong way up - he really did do somersaults on his motorbike!

Superstars, Bingo and the Cromer and Sheringham Band concert were all on the menu for Tuesday evening, with those events which were being held under a roof coming off best when there was more heavy rain. Pictures are up on the site.

A blustery morning for Family Tuesday meant that the parachutists couldn't drop into the arena but apart from that there was a buzz of activity all over the Carnival field - and a very full marquee with masses of activities from children and constant entertainment from the stage. A sudden burst of rain just after lunchtime was quite dramatic but it soon cleared and the sun shone through again.

When Alfie Howard was Town Crier and Entertainer in the late 1950s and early 1960s, he conjured up the idea of the Waiters' and Waitresses' race. At that time there were more large hotels in the town with several of them, such as the Grand Hotel, bringing in extra staff for the summer season. These were often Italian or other teams who spent the winter months at the London hotels and the summer months at seaside establishments.

The tradition of the race was certainly upheld this Monday as part of Carnival Week. There was a very high class turn-out for the best-dressed category and whilst not everyone raced, there were plenty to make it an exciting event with just one contestant throwing caution - and all his drinks - to the wind soon after leaving the start table. Congratulations to all who participated!

There's a full set of pictures on the 'Photos 2008' page.

A bit of rain on the Sunday morning meant a quick change to the programme, with the crowning ceremony in the Pavilion instead of on the pier forecourt. but by the time we all came out of the Pavilion the sun was shining again. There's a huge selection of pictures from both morning and afternoon if you click the button 'Photos 2008'.

For the Sunday afternoon it was up to the carnival field for the bonny babies, the fancy dress, the custom cars and lots of other activities. The sun shone all afternoon and tee-shirts were the order of the day. As ever it was tricky to sort out the winners for the various events but thanks to all the judges for being courageous enough to take the job on and make the decisions.

Earlier all the carnival party had been at the parish church for a special service, taken by David Court. David then joined the platform party at the pier as Peter Piper, Principal Comedian from Seaside Special, carried out the crowning - with much amusement.

And don't forget, if you'd like to let some of the Carnival Committee members know how you feel about the Carnival, you could Play the Splat Game!