Thousands expected to attend Shrewsbury Carnival

The theme for this year’s event is British Heroes: The Best of British a theme which celebrates all things British in the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games hosted in London.

The Shrewsbury Carnival kicks of at 10am with entertainment and activities in Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park including:

Trade and charity stalls, a helicopter from RAF Shawbury, fun fair Arena entertainment, vintage tearoom, dance groups, local bands and more.

A Bake Off competition is also being organised as part of the new carnival Vintage Tearoom. Judging will take place in the Quarry Park on the day with guest judges BBC Radio Shropshire presenter Vicki Archer, Tricia Durnell and Chris Conde, Head Chef at the Inn at Grinshill who took part in BBC’s Masterchef: The Professionals.

Entertainment will also be taking place in The Square which includes music from the Shrewsbury Handbells.

At 2pm The main procession leaves the Quarry Park onto Smithfield Road via Victoria Quay, turning right onto Castle Street into the town centre and around the one way system to Dogpole at which point the procession turns right into High Street and continue around the town centre and back into the Quarry via Raven Meadows, Smithfield Road and Victoria Quay.

Mayor, Shrewsbury Town Council, Councillor Keith Roberts said:

“My thanks go to the carnival committee and everyone who has worked so hard to make this year’s event a success.

“I would also like to thank all the local businesses and sponsors for their support. All the funds raised today will benefit deserving local charities and will be distributed at the discretion of the carnival committee.

“I hope you all have a fun and enjoyable time and give as generously as you can to this worthwhile cause.”

Shrewsbury Carnival Chairman Graham Puttock said:

“This year’s Carnival is my last as Chairman, I have enjoyed getting to know so many people though carnival and being part of such a great event, whilst I’m standing down as chairman I will remain part of the dedicated team who put on Shrewsbury’s largest free one day event.

“We are continually on the lookout for people to come and join our Committee; old or young, experienced or not, we can use your new ideas! If you would like to become involved visit our website www.shrewsburycarnival.co.uk.

“A huge vote of thanks must go to the various hauliers who allow their vehicles to be used in the Parade. With the current price of fuel, this is a wonderful gesture of support from them, and the drivers who give up their time to enable the floats join the Parade, and we really do appreciate it.

“I would also like to thank Alwyn Bedford and Troy Hoskison from Caterpillar in Shrewsbury for their continued support and the purchasing of our new information banners which you will have seen in Shrewsbury Town centre.

“My thanks also go to Hatfield Shrewsbury and Bratby Gasses for their support of the event”

Shrewsbury Town Centre Road Closures
The following roads will be closed at 1:30pm:

Victoria Avenue, Victoria Quay, Smithfield Road, Castle Gates, Castle Street, St. Mary’s Street, Dogpole, High Street, Shoplatch, Bellstone, Barker Street, Bridge Street, Roushill and Raven Meadows.

There will be no access over the Welsh Bridge into town and traffic will be stopped at the sorting office in Castle Foregate. The only traffic allowed past the closure at the English Bridge Gyratory will be for access to businesses in Wyle Cop or to travel along Town Walls.

The roads will re-open as soon as the carnival parade has reached the Quarry park and all of the road and safety checks have been completed.