Wells Carnival gets off to a flying start

A tug-of-war, junior town criers’ contest and a food and craft fair were all part of the opening days of the annual Wells Carnival.

Thousands of people form across the country flocked to the seaside town for the start of what promises to be a week of family fun and fundraising for good causes.

Much of the action was focused around the Butlands field, where the carnival has moved to from the town’s playing field.

Paula Baldry, one of the volunteer crew members, said there would be 90 events taking place, including the carnival’s first-ever wood duck race on Sunday (August 5).

She said: “For visitors it’s a lovely attraction and for locals it’s an event that’s been going on for years. We love doing it but we also raise a lot of money for the town. It’s a jolly good time, and bringing it down to Butlands looks like it’s created a much more intimate experience.”

Bronwyn Mickleburgh, an 18-year-old from Wells, was crowned carnival queen, making a hat-trick as she was also named junior attendant in 2007 senior attendant in 2015.

For more information, visit www.wellscarnival.co.uk