THIS year’s Liphook Carnival broke all previous records by attracting a 5,000-strong crowd and has already been hailed the best procession in many years.

More than 30 new and regular participants brought a fresh enthusiasm and plenty of energy to the annual event, now in its 115th year, which so far managed to raise more than £2,700 for charity.

Outgoing chairman Karen Feeney said: “It was lovely to see such a large crowd and so many wonderful floats.

“The carnival has always been and will always be the most amazing community event of the year and we are so lucky to still have it.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my 11 years as chairman and wish Sally Ann Cameron, who is taking over from me, and the committee all the best.

“I will still be here if they need me and I’m sure I will be helping in any capacity I can in the future! Long live Liphook Carnival!”

Incoming chairman Sally Ann called it a well supported, fun-filled and memorable event, which provided ‘lots of magic for young and old’ with fantastic floats and costumes on display. Carnival stalwart and long time committee member Paul Johnson thanked all sponsors, including Taylor Wimpey, Barons BMW and Mini and Old Thorns Hotel for providing a spectacular firework display at Radford Park.

He said: “The carnival is an annual highlight for the village, where local organisations come together to celebrate their community and all of the entrants have worked very hard this year to make their floats compete for the cups and prices.”

Carnival newcomers Pan Nation Steel Band, the official band for Tottenham Hotspurs and regular participants in the Notting Hill Carnival as well as the London Lord Mayor’s Parade, started the evening’s entertainment, getting spectators into a party mood.

They were supported in the procession by carnival regulars – the Surrey Pipe Band from Woking and the Dolphin Marching Band from Poole, in Dorset.

This year’s Carnival Queen, Charlotte Moore was crowned by Liphook’s very own Paralympic medalist, Olivia Breen, who made her entry in the back of a Baron’s BMW420I Convertible and was mobbed by the crowd. Charlotte was accompanied in the royal float by Princess Jessica Manns and her twin attendants Emily and Kate Coombs.

This year’s most popular carnival theme proved to be the Royal Air Force, with no less than three participants delivering entertaining displays. Haslemere Squadron RAF Air Cadets, the Red Sparrows, showed off their professional aviation skills, followed by members of the Bramshott and Liphook Social Club – The Red Errors – remembering Second World War Spitfire pilots under the beady eye of Winston Churchill, aka 82-year-old Trevor Moss, which won them second prize in the Pubs and Clubs category as well as the Best On the Move trophy.

With precision timing, LiDBA members stunned the crowds with their display by the Red Barrows – turning wheelbarrow manoeuvring into and art form and winning them first prize in the Push and Pull category.

Never failing to wow the crowds was this year’s entry by The Deer’s Hut, which featured the biggest float of the evening with their Pirates of the Caribbean ship – The Black Pearl, as well as more than 20 participants, winning a hattrick of prizes, including first in the Pubs and Clubs category, Best Overall and Best Illuminated. Another highlight of the procession was the Victorian Seaside float by the Liphook Guides, Brownies and Rainbows, with more than 50 children and adults dressed in period costumes for a day out by the seaside, which won the hearts of the crowd and first prize in the children’s category.

Liphook Scouts, Cubs and Beavers chose to replicate their version of the popular construction toys – Lego Ninjago, featuring characters from the range.

This year saw Liphook in Bloom celebrate its 20th anniversary, culminating in their Carnival birthday cake float, complete with members dressed as busy bees, lady bugs and flower girls, winning the Bloomers a well deserved first prize in the adult category.

Joining the procession for the first time were Megan and Sam Simmons with daughter Chelsea and her friends Lilly Belle and Isla for DPM Leadworks as ‘Prusiders’, winning first prize in the trade category.

Also making his carnival debut was Neil White, with his family and staff with the Whites Joinery Viking Ship, winning another hat-trick – second prize in the same category as well as the Tim Wheatley Cup and the John Carver Cup for Best Newcomer.

Other carnival regulars included Ashford Farm owners Simon and Alex Bridger, their son Henry, as well as family members and friends, the Twins of Liphook – Andy and Rodney Hume with their King Kong entry, who have taken part in the procession for the last 18 years, The Herald ladies distributing flags, the Pink Ladies from Findlay’s Florists, who each year rattle their collection tins at the crowds as well as members of the Motley Crew, dressed as characters from The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy, the Tin Man, the scarecrow and lion, winning first prize in the walkers category.

After an absence of two years, carnival regular David Wicks was back, collecting money from spectators wearing the same suit he wore when meeting the Queen during her 90th birthday celebration year.

Angela and Andy House joined the procession for the fist time, driving two stunning old-timer wedding cars, a Morris Isis and Hudson Essex, while Barons BMW who also brought along an electric hybrid and a Mini Countryman to ferry Olivia Breen around.

Martin Budd joined into the evening’s fun with a mobility scooter, dressed as Hilda Ogden from Corrie.

Several spectacular steam engines entertained the crowd, including a Fowler showman engine from the Hollycombe collection, which featured The Railway Children, their popular production held this summer.

Andrew Bicknell and his family chose a Roald Dahl’s Witches theme for their 1911 Fowler Road Steam locomotive, winning first prize, while Gerald and Rachel Whittaker came with The Mistress, a restored 1890 Wallis and Stevens steam engine. Michael Oldhan brought along a 1919 Steam Roller called Roslyn and Pete Davey displayed his keyless McCarthy Fairground Organ.

As always the emergency services joined the procession, including the village’s Fire and Rescue crew as well as its first fesponder, plus the Basingstoke Fire Service Preservation Group, Hampshire Search and Rescue, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and St John Ambulance team.

The L&S Cafe in The Square stayed open for the first time – serving hot food and hot drinks, while volunteers at the Methodist Church in London Road served hot soup to revellers making their way to the bonfire and spectacular fireworks display in Radford Park, which delighted spectators after the procession had finished.