Carnival set to be bigger and better

Sudbury is gearing up for its summer carnival with organisers hoping for good weather and bumper crowds to support the much-loved town tradition.

Last year’s carnival return was heralded as a success, however organisers have been busy making sure this year will be even better with even more floats and entertainment.

On Sunday the Sudbury carnival will be back in town thanks to the popularity of last years event.

This year, as well as adding even more groups to the procession, there will be an evening dance that will lead into the main event.

Jack Owen, Sudbury mayor and chairman of the carnivals organising committee said: “Bringing the carnival back to Sudbury after a 20-year break proved really popular last year, so we’ve worked really hard to make this year’s event even bigger.

“We hoped that we could capture the spirit of a carnival even more this time, and have extended the event with the addition of the dance on August 29.”

During the carnival, more than 25 groups will be joined by the Phoenix majorettes from Sudbury, made up of ex-majorettes who used to take part in the carnival alongside a marching band in the 1970s and 1980s.

The troupe reunited to lead the carnival in 2014 and have been practising twirling their batons and beating their drums, perfecting their routine for 2015.

The procession, which will be led by the Samboomba Samba Band from Ipswich, will start in Alexandra Road, continuing along Newton Road and making a loop round the town and into North Street, before returning to Alexandra Road and finishing at the fête on The Delphi Sports ground.

The fête will be made up of more than 30 stalls, including burgers and ice cream vans, a bouncy castle, donkey rides and a variety of kids races.

Transport to the event is being provided by Go Start Transport, with a bus running from Market Hill and Old Wells School, Great Cornard every thirty minutes for those who are registered to use it.

Mr Owen said more helpers were still needed to ensure the smooth running of the events both this year and in the future.

“We’ve organised the dance and carnival with a skeleton crew this year, so we’re looking for volunteers to join us on the day and hopefully get involved with planning the event for 2016.

“If you want to volunteer, please do. I’m absolutely certain we will be able to find something for you to do.”