THOUSANDS of spectators braved the rain on Saturday to line the streets for the first Trowbridge Carnival in three years.

The carnival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions.

Carnival committee chairman Maryrose Mantle was “delighted” with the huge turn-out which came after a torrential downpour as carnival-goers made their way into Trowbridge town centre.

“The streets were packed with people. It’s a lot of hard work for a small team of people but it’s worth it to see the looks on people’s faces on Saturday night.

“Some of the smaller children had never seen a carnival before but it went very well. We had lots of spectators.

“We had four floats from the Wessex ,carnival circuit and local businesses and local groups taking part. Some people were entering on the afternoon. It was lovely.”

The long procession of illuminated floats, music, majorettes, marching bands and local entries lined up in Canal Road for 7pm before wending their way into the town centre to finish at Cradle Bridge.

It featured four floats from the Wessex Carnival circuit, plus four marching bands: Jamma de Samba from Bath, the Dolphin Marching Band from Poole, the Dorset Youth Marching Band from Corfe Mullen near Wimborne, and White Horse Samba from Calne.

As well as the more spectacular entries, onlookers cheered and clapped a host of smaller groups, including majorettes, dance groups, masqueraders, businesses and local entries.

They included Trowbridge Town Crier Trevor Heeks, 78, in a Ford van. He was first appointed town crier in 1986 in a competition sponsored by the town’s local Ford vehicle dealership.

Mr Heeks said: “I’d like to thank the carnival organisers for all they have done but mainly the people of Trowbridge for turning out and supporting the carnival in such big numbers.

“Saturday night was absolutely brilliant. People haven’t been able to see it for the past couple of years but they came out and lined the streets 10-12 deep.”

Tasha Henley, whose group The Party Princess won the trade section, said: “There was a fantastic atmosphere and everyone really enjoyed it.

“We got lots of messages from people whose children were thrilled to meet the princesses.”

Roads were temporarily closed and bus passengers diverted to other stops during the event which ended around 10.30pm.

The carnival is sponsored by Trowbridge Ford, Forrester Sylvester Mackett Solicitors and Trowbridge Town Council.