THOUSANDS turned out for a County Durham town’s annual Meet this weekend.
Activities kicked-off on Thursday with a Meet quiz and car treasure hunt while a veterans’ football match was held on Friday and a pet show on Sunday.
The threat of rain did not put off participants today when Barnard Castle’s grand parade processed through the ancient market town – marking its 60th anniversary.
About 20 groups entered the colourful parade where hundreds of spectators lined the streets to give their change to the good causes.
Fire engines led the parade while the Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band followed closely behind signalling the start of the fancy dress groups.
Among them included parade championship winners, Startforth Morritt Memorial School and Preschool and their Save Our School campaign which chanted in protest against current proposals to close it.
Others included carnival goers and a statue of Christ the Redeemer to mark this year’s Olympics in Rio while even the ‘Queen’ turned up with her predecessors Queen Victoria and Elizabeth I.
Eighteen past carnival queens also attended as a special tribute to mark the parade’s anniversary.
The annual fun-fair was present as well as several charity stalls, inflatables and refreshments in the Methodist Church Hall.
Shona Robinson, a Meet committee board member and businesswoman, said this year’s event had been a huge success despite organisers having to cancel the Castle Fest music event due to a lack of volunteers.
“It’s a really good turn-out; we started off quite quiet then all of a sudden people were lining the whole street four and five deep,” she said.
“It’s been lovely and great for the past carnival queens that wanted to take part – they were all laughing and had all got their own tiaras so they really got into the spirit of it.”
She added: “I think the whole thing is really important and it shows good community spirit – we are all over the moon.”
Mrs Robinson said the committee would begin planning next year’s Meet soon but still needed more volunteers with the hope of Castle Fest returning.
“It is just a shame we did not have the volunteers to do it but we have had a lot of people come forward so let’s hope that’s positive,” she said.
To get involved visit barnardcastlemeet.com
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