THE annual Winwick Carnival went without a hitch despite a protest petition from animal rights activists opposing the Lamb National sheep race.
A grey but dry day greeted many hundreds of local people to the 18th. Winwick Carnival.
The organisers, headed by Cllr. Cathy Mitchell, planned the event to be based very much around local themes with entertainers Joe Taylor and Gin Pit Rock Band providing the music and local groups and residents manning stalls and marshalling to ensure a very smoothly run fun packed day.
The main display area had acts all day including the Rosabeth Royales Majorettes, Ben Potter with his Birds of Prey display team who flew huge vultures and eagles and Bob Hogg who hosted his Lamb National sheep race and sheepdog displays.
Before the event a petition by animal rights activists had raised 8500 signatures , some 851 of them from the UK, to try to have the race stopped. They felt that the sheep must be distressed to be running around a field jumping small fences but the feared protest did not materialise and the sheep racing proved massively popular with the crowd and the participants seemed to enjoy it too.
The event was officially opened by a speech from Winwick Rose Queen, Isobella Smithson, aged 11 today (happy birthday). The Mayor of Warrington, Cllr. Les Morgan, also gave a speech to the growing crowds.
Alongside the impressive fairground there were many other stalls providing entertainment, food and drink and information about local charities. The Winwick Leisure Centre bar did a brisk trade too.
Another great day in Warrington highlighting the strength, importance and popularity of these community fun days.
