LAUREN Clarke has been crowned as Melksham’s new Carnival Queen after being selected at a ceremony on Sunday.
She will be joined as part of the Melksham Carnival Royalty by Alexia Fletcher as her princess, Freya Paterson as butterfly princess, Cameron Williams as prince and Pam Jackson who won the glamourous grandmother category.
The selection was made following Melksham Carnival’s Toddler and Baby competition. The competitions, which were held at the Assembly Hall, were organised by Melksham Carnival Committee.
Organiser Beth Dark said, “The day was a great success. We had a lot of entries for each of the categories and they were all fantastic. This is a massive event and we always try and improve each year and better ourselves and I think we have done that once again.”
Melksham’s new Carnival Queen, Lauren Clarke said, “It feels amazing to be chosen as Melksham’s Carnival Queen. This is the first time I have plucked up the courage to enter and I am so pleased I did. I am looking forward to everything that comes with being Queen, I can’t believe it!”
Alexia Fletcher the new princess said, “I am really happy. This is the third time I have tried, so it was definitely third time lucky.”
Butterfly princess Freya Paterson was also pleased she had won. She said, “I can’t belive it. It was a shock to win, I didn’t expect it and I feel a lot of joy.”
Cameron Williams also seemed overjoyed by his new role as Carnival prince saying, “ It feels great! I am really happy and so glad I won because I never thought I would.”
The carnival had its first ever glamourous grandmother category this year which was won by Pam Jackson who followed in her mother’s footsteps as she won a glamorous grandmother competition in Bristol 50 years ago. Pam said, “It must be in the blood as I have now done what my mum did all those years ago. I am really happy and pleased to be a part of it.”
Melksham’s bonniest babies were also chosen last weekend as part of Melksham Carnival’s Toddler and Baby competition.
Riley O’Loughlin was the overall winner having scored highest out of all of the entrants on the day.
Winner of the 0-6 months category was Logan Wicks with Jorja Coates taking second place and Isla Taylor in third.
Reeva Ireland took first place in the 6-12 months category, with Amelia Babington in second and Elliot Devlin in third.
The 1-2 years category was won by Fynlee Taylor with Lilly Norris as runner-up and Austin Newman in third. In the 2-4 years category, Ella Avery won first place with Raphael Jefferies in second place and Evie Warren in third.
