An amazing number of floats and push and pull entries, fantastic costumes, a great fireworks display and huge crowds made this year’s Liphook Carnival one of the best ever.

Carnival committee chairman Sally Cameron said: “Wow, what an amazing evening!

“The crowds were the largest we have seen for many years.

“Everyone had certainly pulled out all the stops to make this a truly fantastic carnival.”

As always, the carnival float procession from The Square down to Station Road and back was led by Liphook’s volunteer fire and rescue crew.

Jaw-dropping Samba band Batala Portsmouth got the crowds clapping and dancing.

And the The Surrey Pipe Band, with its irreplaceable bagpipes, and the Dolphin Marching Band with its new young members, added to the carnival atmosphere.

Sussex Steel also performed some fantastic music on the night, which was warm with just a few swift showers.

And the carnival’s new Royal Float, put together by a brilliant group of volunteers and sponsored by the Real English Drinks Company, made its first appearance.

Carnival Queen Annaliese Vaughan was crowned by local former soldier and Military Cross holder Brian Wood, who arrived with his wife Lucy.

Kadence Vaughan was crowned Carnival Princess, Princess’s Attendant was Jessica Wilson and Carnival Prince was Zak Wilson.

The evening concluded with an amazing fireworks display in Radford Park sponsored by Old Thorns, which covered the full cost of the display.

AWB sponsored the event recycling and White Joinery was also an event sponsor. Boss Neil White, the Indian chief on his wild west float, was also a hard-working carnival committee member.

Sally Cameron added: “There was only one casualty of the evening, but we are pleased to say the gentleman concerned is now back home and recovering.

“I would like to thank all those who attended and made the evening a huge success, for their patience with the road closures and for making the atmosphere phenomenal.

“I would also like to thank Brian Wood for taking the time out to make Liphook and our own Queen Annaliese feel very special.

“And a very special thank you must go to all volunteers, especially the carnival committee members.

“I know a lot of work, late nights and commitment has been put in, and without the committee and volunteers we simply would not be able to stage such an event.”

The first Liphook Carnival was in 1902, and this year the evening was especially emotive as this may have been the last one.

It very nearly didn’t go ahead this year, and more volunteer committee members are desperately needed if it is to survive in future.

Sally Cameron said: “We all love the carnival, and emotions ran high because of the possibility of it being the last one.

“We urgently and desperately need more volunteers to get involved, and not just on carnival night but throughout the year, to keep this tradition going.”

For more information, to volunteer and for a full list of the 2022 sponsors visit www.liphookcarnival.org.uk or call Sally Cameron on 07717 313440.