AN upper dale community is hoping to make up for lost time after not being able to run its carnival for two years by announcing it will crown a trio of Queens at this year’s event in August.
For the first time in two years Middleton-in-Teesdale carnival committee held its carnival queen disco at the primary school. As anticipation mounted, the committee surprised everyone by not just announcing the 2022 Carnival Queen, but also queens for 2021 and 2020.
Carnival committee chairwoman Eileen Dent said: “Putting on a brilliant carnival this year will feel like we’re starting to get back to normal, and after the last two years, that would be great.
“We’re going to do our best to make it happen and make up for what we missed out on in 2020 and 2021.”
Lilia Hodgson was named 2020 carnival queen with Emily Barwick as her attendant; 2021 queen was Sydney Mitchell with Rachel Ramshaw as attendant. Skye Crawford will be 2022’s carnival queen with Gordon James by her side.
All three queens will be crowned in the carnival procession on Saturday, August 6.
Ms Dent said: “For the last two years, the first Saturday in August has been very quiet in Middleton-in-Teesdale as it wasn’t possible to have the traditional village carnival.
“But this year, we have everything crossed that the carnival will be able to go ahead and planning is now well underway.”
With support from the Co-op Local Community Fund and the Village Bookshop, the committee is buying new equipment for bad weather days and also to create more free activities for the field.
She added: “We want everyone to be able to join in the fun and have a great time.
“There’s a lot to do so the more ideas, help and support we get, the better this year’s carnival will be.
“We really need more helpers to come forward to join us in making it the best carnival yet, even if it’s just in a small way like helping to set up on the Friday, helping during the day or helping to pack away on the Saturday.
“You don’t need any particular skill or experience and you don’t need to join the committee. We’d love to hear from you with your ideas and offers of help.”
Anyone who is interested in helping out with the carnival should email middleton
carnival@btinternet.com or call 07875 778265.
