St Helens Carnival Royalty Chosen

St Helens chose its Carnival Royalty for the 2024 season last Saturday.

Matilda Squibb, selected as Carnival Queen, will be attended by Belle Delannoy, Emily Brewer-Smith and Clara Hughes

The carnival season starts in Newport on Saturday 24 July and St Helens will be holding its annual Village Sports and Carnival parade on August Bank Holiday Monday (26), as well as participating in all the main and illuminated parades.

It is a special year for St Helens as it celebrates the 125th Anniversary of its Sports and Carnival event.

The first instalment took place on 16 September 1899 and featured events such as the ‘Slow Bicycle Race for Ladies’, the ‘Bucket of Water Race’ and a ‘Bun Competition’ in the programme.

In the carnival parade that followed prizes were awarded to the best costumes, including the ‘gentleman’s’ prize going to ‘Organ Grinder’ the girls prize going to ‘Turkish girl’ and the ‘boys special’ prize going to ‘Tobacco’!

It was reported that ‘dancing and a confetti battle occupied the remainder of the evening.’

The organising Committee is hoping to bring some of the elements of what happened in 1899 to the 2024 Sports and are organising additional events to mark 125 years of the Sports and Carnival.

The team is also constructing a carnival float that will celebrate the anniversary.

Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to contact the Parish Clerk, Jacky Matthews on clerk@sthelensiw.org.uk