Hartland Carnival Brings Festive Cheer to North Devon on a Sunny Day, Thank you to all our sponsors, volunteers, participators and visitors for making Hartland Carnival the best!

On August 13, 2022, residents and visitors of North Devon were treated to a vibrant and colourful spectacle at the annual Hartland Carnival. The streets of Hartland were lined with spectators eager to catch a glimpse of the dazzling floats, marching bands, and costumed performers.

The weather couldn't have been better, with bright sunshine and clear skies making the atmosphere even more enjoyable. The crowd was in high spirits, singing, cheering and clapping as each float passed by. Each moment was captured by Bob Seymour who we would like to thank for his stunning pictures.

2022 Carnival Queen was Alesha Hall with Royal Security​​​ provided by Jake O’Sullivan and Arly Batten

Fairy Queen​​​​ Kate, Attended by​​​​ Ida and Sophia

2022 Pre-School Prince ​​​Isaac and Pre-School Princess​​ Daisy

Several local organizations participated in the parade, including the Hartland Fire Brigade, Youth Club, Hartland Primary School, and the local football club. Hartland is blessed by the participation of local villages who bring their floats along to join in the fun! Each float was uniquely decorated, showcasing the creativity and enthusiasm of the participants.

Before the parade, the judges presented the winners in various categories. A few of the trophy winners were The Allan Higgins Hartland Carnival Cup & Blue Riband for the Most Outstanding Entry winner ‘Abandoned Fairground’

Lads and Lassies

Matt Jinks, Jodie & Tom Jinks, Poppy Clarke, Matt Grout, Abbie Cole, Ellie Davey Reece Stanbury, Chloe Bennett, Lee & Dani Smith, Dom Allin, Paige Aplin, Georgia Lindley, Max Heard, Lee Wilkinson, Steven Bromwich, Kieran Johns, Micki Louise, Dylan & Corey Dennis.

‘Abandoned Fairground’

Winner of the Hartland Carnival Large Shield for the Best Local Tableau ‘Some Like It Hot, Hartland Likes It Hotter!’ Farford Mob Productions, Chris, Jenny, Billy & Sammy Heard, Stephen, Sarah, Lilian & Phoebe Threlkeld, Alex & Lydia Duncan, Rebecca, Paul, Harry & Freddie Dart, Alex, Samantha, Elsa & Seth Downie, Joanne & Steve Lloyd and Jody Brag.

Winner of the Jamie Johns Memorial Trophy for the Most Entertaining Float ‘Toy Story Karaoke’ Deptford Farm, Brian, Johnny, Sara, Sophie & Jack Redwood, Greg & Elaine Meaker, James & Jess McEldon, Bethany, Sam & Leanne Hobbs, Charlie, James, Brian, Wendy, Sarah & Steve Heard, Irish Chris, Alex Walker, Jason Rana, Lisa Heywood, and Ed & Alfie Leeson.

Winner of the Hart Inn Stag Trophy for Most Entertaining Walkers ‘Dinosaurs’

Some of our other winners were:
Adult Single - First ‘Woodland Walk’ Joanna Woodland
Adult and Children - First ‘Physco Billy Cadillac’ Knock Family and Friends, Jim Knock, Tina Beardsley, Jan Willis, Sue Pilkington, Luke Mullin, Harriet Knock, Fred Knock and Edward Knock.
Children’s Tableau - First ‘Hartland’s Gogglebox’, Hescott Gang Andrew Goaman, Eve Hibberd, Andy, Rachel, Jack & Emily Mitchell, Thomas McDonagh, Dillon, Ava & Layla Edwards-Goaman, Craig, Lizzie and Sean Brent, Donal, Sarah, Daniel, Grace and Poppy Stafford.
Topical Tableau - First ‘Party Gate’ Bradworthy Carnival Committee Gareth & Robyn Pengilly, Denise & Richard Radmore, Ant Long , Graham Greatorex, Basil & Helen Kinsman.
Comic Tableau - First ‘Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory’ Robin Allin and Co, Robin Allin, Rebecca Heale, Claire Marelli, Simon Stowell, Paul & Bryony Meaker, Dick & Sarah Johns.
Adults Only - First ‘The Real Tory Party’, Gary Johns, Joyce Johns, Kevin Johns, Mandy Johns, Emma Jeffery, Glyn Kirby, Penny and Daryl Ireland and Trudy Lincoln.
Group Marching - Cunliffe Shield, Tarka Starlightz Majorettes
Artistic Tableau- First ‘Abandoned Fairground’

The carnival also featured live music, Hartland Town Band, Tarka Starlightz Majorettes, Barracwda Samba Band and Explosion. Food stalls, and games, make it a fun-filled day for people of all ages. The event was organized by a team of dedicated volunteers, who worked tirelessly to make it a success.

Overall, the Hartland Carnival was a resounding success, bringing the community together after a two-year Covid hiatus in a joyful celebration of life and summer. The organizers and participants are already looking forward to next year's event.

What an incredible little village Hartland is. It'll take more than a yellow weather warning to stop Hartland partying! Despite the doom and gloom of the weather forecast, the rain held off and carnival was as busy as ever. The wonderful support from everyone has once again provided us with an amazing spectacular of a Carnival. Imagination in abundance. From the huge floats to the single walkers, the bands and dancers and majorettes, the food providers, the shops and pubs, all the dedicated helpers who give so much of their time...and of course the spectators who turned out in numbers to watch and enjoy the evening. Thank you everyone who took part..2019 Hartland Carnival was a blast.

The Fun Figures theme ‘Villains’ results

1st The Snow Queen” Karen Lennox & Nicky Hedges
2nd“ Crazy Chris The Pirate” Hannah & Emily Tape
3rd“Hey Georgie” Nick & Jess

Best Decorated Business Premises Results

1st “Old Dears” The Old Bakery Coffee Shop
2nd “Pop In Around The World” Pop In
3rd “The World of Beatrix Potter” Hartland Post Office

The Hartland Carnival committee would like to thank everyone involved with this year’s Carnival. There was an army of people involved in hosting the Carnival Week’s activities as well as the Grand Procession on the Saturday night. They all know who they are! Thank you. The Carnival Queen and her attendants led the procession, followed by participants walking or on floats. They all provided a magnificent display despite the really disappointing weather.

The standard of entries in Hartland Carnival was magnificently high, as always. The pictures tell the story. There were nineteen walking entries, which included many large groups, and fifteen floats as well as three entries in the Animal category. We had six marching groups and visiting royalty, along with many others who made the effort to dress up but did not enter for judging.

Themes included fairy tales and nursery rhymes, television programmes and films, topical subjects such as pollution and politics and many more.

Yemeya – The African Goddess & Sea Creatures won the Best Overall Walker (Blue Riband) as well as being judged Most Entertaining Walkers. The Best Children’s Walking Entry was won by Dennis the Menace, (James Leonard).

The Most Outstanding Float and winner of the Blue Riband was Four & Twenty Blackbirds which was also the Best Local Tableau. The Most Entertaining Float was Bradworthy Committee’s The Greatest Showman.

All our judges, including visitors from far and wide, did a sterling job in spite of the deluge, which made things extremely difficult for them. Hopps, Chapple and Yolanda from the Voice helped with judging for the Walkers this year, so thanks to them for coming. In addition, we provided attractions in the square, including fairground rides, food and other stalls, with free entertainment and displays including Hartland Town Band and Samba Bands.

Of course this annual event could not take place without the support of our sponsors, who continue to support us every year!

The sun shone all day and people turned up in their droves to be amazed by a total of 19 Floats and loads of brightly coloured walking entries. As ever the standard was high, special thanks to Bob Seymour (Shoreline Photography) for taking photos, these have now been uploaded to our Photos Page. Thanks to all those who helped out with carnival including all the entrants and the many unsung heroes behind the scenes! It was a great atmosphere this year and the celebrations went well into the evening, time now for a well earned rest as there are only 12 months till the next one.

Well it was a damp start to our Carnival this year, but what a carnival 20 Floats and too many walking entries to count. As ever the standard was high and despite the rain the crowds still turned up in their masses, and I am pleased to say a good majority hung around for the entertainment afterwards. Surrounded by fairground rides and stalls, from 8:30pm the Town Band played in the Square Car Park and the weather dried up, this was followed with back to back samba and finished off with an amazing live Fire Performance that wowed the crowd with four performers risking all, they juggled flaming sticks, hula hoops, fire eating, fire breathing and much much more. Inside the Parish Hall from 9pm “DJ DK” provided a Disco around two sets from newly formed band “Damaged Goods”, and further to being rained off from his earlier outside performance WIlderland also performed a set in the Hall.

The whole event went off without a hitch with the centenary celebrations going on late into the night, I wonder if those original pioneers of Hartland Carnival though it would ever get so big and go on for so many years! Feedback is welcome on here or the Facebook page, long may the carnival continue, if you want to ensure it does the committee is looking for new independent members or new groups to join, it is a great way to raise fund for you group please get in touch!