GRANDMOTHERS behaving badly and more cake than Mary Berry could imagine were just some of the spectacular floats at Aldbourne’s 100th carnival procession.

The sun came out just in time on Saturday evening to see the extra special event hit the streets to hundreds of people lining the village with their coins at the ready.

Because of the centenary celebrations, villagers made sure it was one to remember. There were around 30 floats from the naughty ‘Hooligrans’ causing mischief and the cheeky dancing ‘Beerleaders’ who had converted a dustbin into speakers and got the crowd giggling with their dance routines.

A beaming carnival president Audrey Gilligan led the way on a horse drawn carriage followed by Aldbourne Brass Band and then carnival queen Lauren Goddard with the rest of the carnival royalty.

The carnival’s 100th anniversary was also incorporated into many of the floats with giant cakes and candles, as well as 100 years of different toys from Lego to Mr Potato Head.

A life-size 100th edition of an Aldbourne Monopoly board also took to the streets as did walkers dressed up as singers from throughout the century.

Alice in Wonderland was a popular choice of theme as there were three themed floats around the novel and Aldbourne’s Childrens Book Group came as characters from Harry Potter.

There were many more colourful and creative floats and walkers and in total it took them more than an hour for them to parade around the village.

Entertainment continued throughout the night with a funfair for youngsters followed by music by music from the likes of Train to Skaville near The Blue Boar.

Bringing the celebrations to a close on Sunday, was a church service and the Aldbourne Band Pond Concert as well as the flag lowering.

“It was superb, it really was wonderful,” carnival chairman John Condon said.

“It’s been an extremely successful carnival and so well supported. We had a record number of floats and it is a fitting 100th carnival for the village and a remarkable effort.

“I don’t think we could have asked for much more and there were so many smiling faces.”

See more photographs in this week’s Gazette and Herald.