North Devon carnival breaks with a royal tradition in run up to the big day

As the countdown for Barnstaple Carnival on Saturday, September 20 gets well and truly underway, organisers have made a change on the carnival royalty front.

Instead of one carnival queen, this year they have selected two queens to lead the annual procession, following a close-run contest that judges felt just couldn’t separate the winners.

Royalty co-ordinator Angelina Cassinelli said: “It was really too close to call. The upside is we get two carnival queens for this year’s parade.”

That means that both 14-year old Gracie Roper and 12-year Mollie-Rose Browning will lead the parade through the streets on carnival day, preceded this year by Devon Army Cadet Band who will travel to North Devon for the first time.

The carnival team report entries to take part are flowing in daily, an increase on last year, but have urged people to ensure they don’t miss out by getting their float and walking entries in by the Sunday, September 14 deadline.

Following the trend of last year, it will once again be a full day of live entertainment, free family attractions, food and drink stalls, charity stalls and traders, who spill out from The Square, across The Strand and through to the ‘Buzz Zone’ on Castle Green, with plenty of activities for all ages.

It will build up to the crowning of the carnival queens and then of course the main carnival procession, followed as dark begins to fall by the traditional firework display at around 8pm.

This year the royal coach will be looking its best too, following extensive efforts to fund raise for the renovation of the Carnival Coach, main sponsor Howards Motor Group stepped in to help the team realise their ambitions.

Together with help from Exmoor Fascias, Barnstaple in Bloom and Adrian, a small band of volunteers have spent the last two months on the facelift.

Kev Behan, carnival project manager, said: “We hope people will be impressed with the new look coach for this year’s parade.

“It has been reconstructed with longevity in mind and with its new lightweight construction it will allow for an electric vehicle to tow it in the future.”

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Kev said he hoped people would dig deep into their creative reserves to put together walking or motorised entries, adding: “Haulage companies struggle to make large vehicles available these days due to all sorts of contractual obligations.

“But pick-ups, vans and trailers, bicycles, mobility scooters or even wheelbarrows all add to the fun on the day.”

Scott Cleverdon, carnival business manager, is also looking forward to the big day. He said: “Last year was great but with a few tweaks here and there, we are really excited at the way the Carnival Village is shaping up for this year.

“Team Carnival 2025 is a very small band of volunteers, so we are keen to hear from anyone who is able to help on the day. Just a couple of hours of your time will help the day go smoother.

“There is a myriad of jobs to be done from first thing in the morning to well after the parade has dispersed, so the more offers of help we can get for setting up and clearing up will be gratefully received.”

Full details of how to get involved, whether for the parade of helping on the day, please visit the website at www.barnstaplecarnival.org.uk or email info@barnstaplecarnival.org.uk. Also keep an eye on the Barnstaple Carnival Facebook page for updates.