Hundreds of people lined the streets of Tavistock last Sunday (July 21) for one of the best Lions’ carnival processions ever.
The streets were packed with crowds enjoying a colourful energetic spectacle of floats, dancers, steam engines, bands and walkers from community groups, schools, the emergency services, companies. The procession theme’s animation fired the imagination helping Tavistock Lions raise £2,500 for its support of community groups.
Lions spokesman Steve Grummitt said: “It was one of the best weeks we’ve ever had. We’ll probably move it to the Sunday for the future. It was a trial and it worked really well.”
![Whitchurch Scouts' dragon sculpture breathing steam on top of their steam engine float.](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/10/25/Whitchurch-Scouts-dragon-sculpture-breathing-steam-on-top-of-their-steam-engine-float.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
The winning entries in the carnival process win were: Best in procession – St.Peter’s & St. Rumon’s; schools winner – St.Peter’s & St. Rumon’s; decorated float or group of vehicles, winners – Whitchurch Scouts; walking class winner – Transition Tavistock; walking class two winner – LT Taekwondo; walking class three winner – Southern Troopers. Fun Day Dog Show (sponsored by Ron’s Pets): Best in breed classes – Bonnie with owner Chris; reserve – Bryn with owner Isobel; best in novelty classes – Belle with owner Tracy; reserve – Lilly with owner Kirsty. Pavement Artists Competition (sponsored by Tavistock Times Gazette and KW Chartered Surveyors): Under-five: winner – Lucas Ball, second – Jaxon West, third – Hazel Waller; five to eight years: winner - Flo Cusack, second – Connie Halett, third - Louisa Sandell; nine and over winner – Elsia Kellaway, second – Evie Ann, third Grace Jones; adults winner – Dibeh Alaoui, second – Helen Bowyer, third - Paula Smith. Traders’ Skittles Competition at the Stannary Arms: winners Stannary Arms.
![Environmental group Transition Tavistock dressed as animals under threat with costumes designed by a young student.](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/10/09/Environmental-group-Transition-Tavistock-dressed-as-animals-under-threat-with-costumes-designed-by-a.jpg?trim=94,0,242,0&width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![Tropical cheer and colour at Tavistock Carnival procession.](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/10/29/Tropical-cheer-and-colour-at-Tavistock-Carnival-procession.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![The Ukrainian community say thank you to the town for helping them feel part of the community.](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/10/30/The-Ukrainian-community-say-thank-you-to-the-town-for-helping-them-feel-part-of-the-community.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![Tavistock Rugby Club draw laughing crowds to their amusing giant fancy dress birds in Bedford Square in Tavistock Carnival procession.](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/10/45/Tavistock-Rugby-Club-draw-laughing-crowds-to-their-amusing-giant-fancy-dress-birds-in-Bedford-Square.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![Southern Troopers - fund raisers for Children's Hospice South West at Tavistock Carnival.](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/10/13/Southern-Troopers-fund-raisers-for-Childrens-Hospice-South-West-at-Tavistock-Carnival.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![Polished to perfection - a vintage car with a proud couple and their pet dog add class to Tavistock Carnival procession..](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/10/08/Polished-to-perfection-a-vintage-car-with-a-proud-couple-and-their-pet-dog-add-class-to-Tavistock-Ca.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![Bere Alston Carnival Queen Ruby, 10, and princess Amber, 7, add regality to Tavistock Carnival.](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/10/14/Bere-Alston-Carnival-Queen-Ruby-10-and-princess-Amber-7-add-regality-to-Tavistock-Carnival.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![Tavistock St Peter's and St Rumon's schools staff, parents and pupils add an exotic atmosphere to Tavistock Carnival procession.](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/10/38/Tavistock-St-Peters-and-St-Rumons-schools-staff-parents-and-pupils-add-an-exotic-atmosphere-to-Tavis.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![Pretty in red - a youngster with dramatic head dress makes an impact at Tavistock Carnival.](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/10/37/Pretty-in-red-a-youngster-with-dramatic-head-dress-makes-an-impact-at-Tavistock-Carnival.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![The Ukrainian community applaud a dressed-up classic car at Tavistock Carnival.](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/10/00/The-Ukrainian-community-applaud-a-dressed-up-classic-car-at-Tavistock-Carnival.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![Bere Alston Carnival Queen Ruby and Princess Amber applauded by the crowds in Bedford Square.](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/10/08/Bere-Alston-Carnival-Queen-Ruby-and-Princess-Amber-applauded-by-the-crowds-in-Bedford-Square.jpg?trim=189,0,147,0&width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![Mickey Mouse and Minnie Muse helping raise an impressive total of cash from carnival spectators for the Lions community projects.](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/10/46/Mickey-Mouse-and-Minnie-Muse-helping-raise-an-impressive-total-of-cash-from-carnival-spectators-for.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![Whitchurch Scouts](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/8/25/Whitchurch-Scouts.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![Tavistock Musical Theatre Company camels](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/8/00/Tavistock-Musical-Theatre-Company-Aladdin.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![Vintage car couple](https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/07/23/8/33/Vintage-car-couple.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)