Phil Gillam: Don’t Stop The Carnival - quite right!
When we were kids we would gather at the Dana steps on Castle Foregate to watch the carnival go by.
Other years, we stood outside Woolworth’s on Castle Street, popping pennies into buckets as the various charities went by on their colourful floats.
And – I wonder, is this just the power of nostalgia embellishing my memories? – I’m sure back then there were military bands taking part: trumpets and bassoons and tubas and trombones blasting out stirring tunes.
I can definitely recall the boom of the big bass drum sending out vibrations you could feel against your chest as they marched by.
Would it have been the army cadets, I wonder?
I feel sure there were smart uniforms and fancy epaulettes involved.
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I’m pretty certain, too, that back then there were not just one but several substantial troupes of majorettes, all brightly coloured, highly-trained, batons spinning.
Watching the 2018 Shrewsbury Carnival on Saturday, I thought that perhaps some of that old-fashioned traditional element was missing, but nevertheless it was a fantastically happy and inspirational event that put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces – and what’s wrong with that?
Everybody involved in staging this event is to be heartily congratulated.
There was dancing. There was singing. There was laughter. There were some truly bizarre costumes! There was great goodwill and great good humour. In short, there was a really positive vibe.
And of course this event is another example of the living tradition of this great town.
The admirable Shelley Oliver, carnival secretary, said: "We have been very busy. I did think that the weather may keep people away but it didn't. It is fantastic.
"Everybody turns out every year and supports us. We have a great following.
"Every penny we raise is for charity. Last year we gave money to 22 charities and that was all down to the generosity of everyone who comes along to support us."
Well said, Shelley.
That’s something that shouldn’t be forgotten - the large number of charities that benefit from this lovely event.
So as far as I’m concerned it’s a win-win situation – a win in that it brings colour and music and fun to our town centre, and a win in that it boosts good causes.
The parade, which set off at 2pm from The Quarry, had been led by Shrewsbury’s wonderful town crier Martin Wood and was enjoyed by thousands of people who lined the streets from Smithfield Road to Pride Hill, High Street and Barker Street.
Among the vehicles and participants on show were painstakingly decorated floats, double-decker buses, a parade of bikes, a drum corps, dancers and roller skaters.
Unquestionably, there was a strong musical-theatre feeling about this year’s event with representations of Bugsy Malone, Mary Poppins, The Lion King, Grease, The Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter, and Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.
It was all great fun and it was impossible not to be moved by the smiles of delight on the faces of those who lined the streets.
Back in the sixties, the Alan Price Set had a big hit record that pleaded: Don’t Stop The Carnival. Well, I couldn’t agree more. I sincerely hope this event goes on from strength to strength.
As I say, hearty congratulations to all concerned.
Moving on, I can’t let this week’s column go by without mentioning beautiful, historic Shrewsbury Railway Station and a bit of good news on that front.
The final part of the long-running £800,000 station upgrade has just been unveiled. The refurbishing of the toilets was the last project to be completed after the roof, waiting rooms and information desk were all upgraded over the last two years.
Arriva Trains Wales Managing director Tom Joyer officially unveiled the improvements on Friday.
He said: "It may seem strange to celebrate the opening of some toilets but having good quality conveniences is what our passengers say is one of their top priorities.”
No-one is going to argue with that.
