Harborne Carnival celebrates 10 years
BRASS bands, chocolate fountains, fair rides and a mini steam railway – they were all there as Birmingham’s biggest carnival took to the streets to celebrate a decade of fun and top up the £200,000 already raised for local charities since 1998.
The only cars on Harborne High Street were on carousels as the busy road closed for the day to become a golden mile of entertainment.
And there was plenty of glamour too with Harborne’s own carnival queen Natalie Macpherson looking every inch like film star Audrey Hepburn in a shocking pink gown and long black gloves.
But Coun John Alden was not to be eclipsed dressed as Henry VIII in white tights and tunic, along with his wife Deirdre as Lady Greensleeves.
Former Lord Mayor Coun Sue Anderson, who opened Harborne’s first carnival in 1998 when she was Lord Mayor, thanked everyone for making the annual trouble-free event a “fixture and fitting of Harborne”.
The day got off to a cracking start with a mile-long fun run for more than 100 local youngsters down the High Street.
First home in the under-10s race was Blue Coat School pupil Gus Iliff, aged nine.
The under-16s winner was Harborne Hill School student Orville Griffiths, aged 15, from Great Barr.Star attractions included world champions from the Irish dancing Carey Academy who gave a stunning display.
Music came from the West Midlands Police Brass Band, the Phoenix Brass band and the Shirley Pipers.
To mark the 10th anniversary, Harborne staged its first food and wine festival the day before with stalls selling and cooking tasty delicacies.
Organisers Ron Hill and Paul Burgess said: “Everyone has pulled together to make it a fantastic weekend of fun for all involved.”
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