Bishop’s Stortford Carnival Parade in pictures

The theme was ‘Best of British’ – and while the worst of the British weather rained on the parade, it failed to dampen spirits at Bishop’s Stortford Carnival.

Community groups defied the deluge on Saturday to sing and dance their way along the procession route from South Mill Arts to Sworder’s Field, where a fun day of entertainment, fairground rides and stalls was waiting, all organised by the town council.

Participants from KBD Dance, Graham School of Dance and Theatre Arts, Forte Dance and Performing Arts Studio, Hip Hop Pop Street Dancers, Apton Dance Studio and Stortford Cheerleaders put their best foot forward, regardless of the puddles.

The groups singing in the rain included Rock Choir, Somewhere 2 Sing and Bishop’s Stortford Gospel Choir.

Charity champion Mark Sanders made a splash as he drove his converted fairground dodgem car along the route, collecting for Grove Cottage, the home of Mencap in Bishop’s Stortford, whose members embraced an Alice in Wonderland theme for the parade.

Other groups that shone in the showers were Silver Leys Scout Group, who delved deep into the town’s mythology to create a dragon, Stort Pride, Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Football Club, Army cadets and the emergency services.

Judges decided the best display was provided by Silver Leys Scouts, who won £500. Runner-up Stort Pride walked off with a £200 prize and third-placed Grove Cottage won £100.

Cllr Richard Townsend, the mayor of Bishop’s Stortford, kept smiling despite the downpour, as he travelled in a Mercury Cougar car, part of a vintage cavalcade.

He said: “The title was the best of British, and we certainly saw some of that, initially with the best of British weather, which chopped and changed as the minutes passed.

“I had the pleasure of an open-top car, which was wonderful in the moment when the rain stopped. However, we were also soaked – rather like a mobile swimming pool.”

Cllr Townsend thanked the crowds who thronged the streets despite the rain and cheered the participants as they passed.

As the focus switched to the fun day and arena events on Sworder’s Field, the sun returned.

Performers across two arenas included many of the song and dance groups that took part in the parade as well as the James Bond Theme Performance from Be Entertained, Pauline Quirke Academy, The Buskerteers choir, Thaxted Morris Men, covers band Last Orders, the Belly Belles, Woodwind of Stortford and Bishop’s Stortford Ukulele Society.

There was also a host of community group, charity, business, market and food-and-drink stalls and a fun fair for visitors to enjoy, and a flotilla of boats moored on the Stort across The Causeway.

Cllr Townsend said: “It was a joy to see people enjoying the atmosphere, the drinks, the ice cream and learning much more about all the other organisations in the town.

“What could have been a mini-disaster was saved by the spirit of residents and some of the best of British sunshine.

“Thank you, everyone – however you took part, it really made an event to be proud of.”