Aerial View of the Carnival at around 2:30pm on Saturday
I can't pretend that there weren't a few anxious moments on Saturday morning as the hardy volunteers from the Carnival Working Group, plus stalwarts of just about every organisation in the village braved torrential rain to put up gazebos, unload vehicles, layout the site and think about making sure that we could keep everyone safe on the site as it was getting a bit slippy underfoot!
But at about 11:30 the rain stopped and everyone started to smile ....
In an incredibly fast time wet tables were transformed into groaning displays of produce, sideshows and games, arrangements of delicious cakes and information about everything from Canals to local Archaeology. The Mayor of Rushcliffe and the Chair of the Parish Council visited all the stalls and selected a winning 'Best Dressed Stall!
The Procession - stunning spectacle of colour and music in Radcliffe
Meanwhile at least 200 intrepid souls from the Methodist Church, Radcliffe Olympic FC, Radcliffe Guides, Brownies & Rainbows, Radcliffe Pre- School Playgroup, Simply Dance, Radcliffe Sword Club, SNATCH, Radcliffe on Trent Drama Group, and the Boys Brigade had donned their glitter, feathers and masks and were ready to show us Mardi Gras !
Led by the Boys Brigade Marching Band with the United Schools Samba Band bringing up the rear in a very lively fashion, the procession made its way through Radcliffe.
They were watched by a magnificent crowd, who especially enjoyed the Samba Music& Dancing from SNATCH and the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang walking float built by Steve Phair for the Boys Brigade.
A special mention has to go to the inspired Brownie or Rainbow leader who devised Mardi Gras multicoloured and beautifully decorated waterproof ponchos for the girls ! ( Did she know something we didn't?)
So how do you top that ?
With a Flypast by a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight !
I should add that this wonderful photo was taken by Adam Thacker
who has generously allowed us to share the image on this Website