Last updated at 10:34, Monday, 07 June 2010

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THE family of this year’s Askam and Ireleth Carnival queen revived an old village tradition by decorating their home with flowers made from crepe paper.

Janice Woods put the colourful frills around the front door and windowsills of her Duke Street home for her daughter Bethany Woods’ big day as queen on Saturday. Driven in a fancy car and sitting alongside her lady in waiting Melissa Lacey, Bethany was clapped by friends and family as the parade passed her house.

What’s more, Saturday was Bethany’s 16th birthday and dad Graham flew back all the way from Tunisia to be there.

Mrs Woods said: “This is what we always did in Askam years ago for carnival day.

“Pat Rawlinson and Bob Seddon, who aren’t with us anymore. Between them they’d always do all the work for the carnival – make the dresses, make the arch for the queen, fundraising, and they’d do that every year.

“We’ve had a good laugh doing it and a few late nights.

“It’s taken about six weekends to make all the flowers. I was helped by my niece Louise and her friend. Her dad wasn’t due home until her prom in a fortnight but he’s come back specially. He daren’t miss it,” she said.

After two rain-plagued carnivals in as many years, the sun shone on Saturday’s event, which included 65 entrants and a gala with dancing competitions at Askam Rugby Club. Vast crowds lined the streets for the procession, which included a host of dancing troupes, floats, a team of Ghostbusters and Askam’s very own answer to the Go Compare singer.

First published at 09:09, Monday, 07 June 2010
Published by http://www.askamlocal.co.uk