Mud forces rapping gran to miss carnival

Jul 6 2007 By Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

GRANNY rapper Norma Clarke has fallen victim to the stormy weather.

Norma, aged 70, a contestant on TV show Britain's Got Talent, was due to have opened the carnival in rain-soaked Sutton Park last Saturday.

But the vehicle due to take her there got stuck in mud, so the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Coun Randal Brew, did the honours.

Disappointed Norma said today: "The arrangements were made about 10 days ago and I got ready for the car to pick me up and take me to the park.

"I had even written a speech and got ready in all my gear, but when the car did not arrive I assumed that it had either broken down or the carnival had been cancelled. I don't like to let people down."

Carnival committee chairman Sharon Stewart said that the vehicle due to collect Norma from her home in Castle Vale, Birmingham, had become stuck in the mud on the park showground after being left there the night before.

"A three tonne hospitality unit had churned up the ground, which meant the car got stuck in the mud. It was totally down to us because we did say we would pick up Norma.

"It wasn't anyone's fault, it was down to the weather, and we would love her to do the carnival next year."