New Year's Eve celebrations in Bideford
 |
| • GANGSTER girls Terri Lane and Hannah Lewis join in the Bideford New Year's party. Ref: capone (wk1) |
 |
• CLOWNING AROUND: Stuart Harding from Bideford (right) with nine year old brother Ryan and dad Andy.
Ref: clowns (wk1) |
PICTURE SPECIAL
MAGICAL was the word to describe Bideford’s New Year’s Eve carnival - for its spectacular entertainment, and for the way in which the stormy weather cleared just long enough for families to turn out and watch the procession.
There were fears until late afternoon that this early-evening addition to Bideford’s famous celebrations might have to be cancelled because of the strong winds and heavy rain.
But calm descended and out came the Party Animals -some 150 adults and children in colour-co-ordinated animal costumes or supporting huge animal puppets.
There was a herd of red and black zebra, huge golden cats and dogs, little golden sheep, red and black birds and an enormous gorilla on a lighted throne.
Put together by the Flying Colours community arts group, led by Sue Russell, this second annual winter carnival has put the event firmly on the map.
“The weather was horrendous, but it all turned out magical,” said Sue. “The rain and wind stopped. We decided to go for it and we went on an entertained. Everyone had a fantastic time.
“We have now got to make it an annual event and, hopefully, to also have another carnival in the summer and get more and more of the community involved.”
The carnival heralded another night of revelry in the town as Bideford once again played host to thousands of people - almost all in fancy dress - who travelled from all over the country and even from overseas to take part in what has become one of Britain’s most popular venues to welcome in the New Year.
 |
 |
 |
• SPIDERMEN Craig Gray and George Rose.
Ref: spider
(wk1) |
• Brian Pedlar as Gandalf in Bideford. Ref: Gandalf (wk1) |
• SHAUN Blake masquerades as a pink fairy.
Ref: pinkfairy (wk1) |
 |
 |
 |
| • Gazette reporter Andy Keeble with fiancee Niki Warne. Ref: andy (wk1) |
• Henry VIII Lee Toop, from Instow with Ellie Price.
Ref: henry (wk1) |
• Mike Malin as a gorilla in the Bideford parade.
Ref: grr (wk1) |
|
|