MIDDLETON’S on-off-and-on-again carnival parade was a funfilled festival of colour despite the grey skies that had threatened the event.
After last Wednesday’s downpour and with worse predicted on carnival day, organisers initially took the decision to cancel Saturday’s events.
An outcry from those planning to take part resulted in a swift rethink and it was agreed that with the road closure already in place, the parade would go ahead but there would be no events on the sports field.
Instead, the sports and social club became the focal point after the colourful parade had wound its way through the village.
And what a parade it was.
There were Peaky Blinders, a circus and Oktoberfest celebrations among the floats while Alice in Wonderland and the wild west were among the fancy dress costumes.
The judging saw Scotties Peaky Blinders win the prize for best float, the Blake family’s Cowboys and Indians outfits took best walking group and individual prizes went to William McFarlane, Lexi Collinson and Bobby Liadlaw who sported some brilliant costumes.
Afterwards, the carnival committee paid tribute to all who had turned out.
“What a week we’ve had. Some difficult decisions had to be made earlier this week as to whether this year’s carnival would go ahead. But the carnival committee, all our volunteers and Middleton-in-Teesdale Sports and Social Club really did pull out all of the stops – and what a fantastic day we had.
“The procession was a huge success and everyone only got a little wet – which was a bonus.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter, the floats and walkers were out of this world amazing. And thank you to everyone who lined the streets to watch.”
