Coggesshall Carnival to return this year on September 7

Coggeshall Carnival takes place this year on September 7, and committee member Sarah Parsons hopes it is going to be the best one yet.

Sarah has been a Coggeshall resident for 14 years but only became involved with the carnival committee last year after “knowing a lot of people” who wanted her to come onboard and help.

This year’s event will be the first carnival she has worked.

She is a big fan of the event which originated in the early 1970s and has had numerous events from 1982 onwards.

A moment in time - A photo taken from the Coggeshall Carnival in 1982 (Image: Coggeshall Carnival Committee)

Fun - A tractor-driven float during the carnival in 2003 (Image: Coggeshall Carnival Committee)

She said: “I think it is lovely, I’ve been to the carnival a few times.

“Everyone takes part. For a little town it is a big event, and everyone supports it.”

Sarah admits last year’s carnival, which was the first since 2018 due to dwindling visitor numbers and the Covid pandemic, was not as successful as the committee had hoped.

Previous organiser Hazel Picknell Stride had also sadly died.

2012 - 1st and 2nd Coggeshall Rainbows and Brownies in a procession during the carnival (Image: Coggeshall Carnival Committee)

Fun - A cowboy themed float from the carnival in 2015 (Image: Coggeshall Carnival Committee)

However, Sarah believes the carnival can be revitalised.

She said: “I am hoping this year we will have a bigger parade.

“This year we are really trying to get everyone involved.

"We want it to be a carnival and fete.

“We will have fancy dress, cakes and vegetable allotment competitions as well.

“Hopefully there will be more walking floats, and dance groups in the parades.

“We should have majorettes, marching bands and more as well”

The theme for this year will be fairy tales, myths, and magic.

Group - The Rainbow Supreme Twirlers were part of 2018's carnival (Image: N/A)

Music - A group of musicians performing at last year's event (Image: Coggeshall Carnival Committee)

This years’ event starts around 12.30pm and normally the parade floats and walking parades start at Honywood Community Science School.

Floats will parade through the town centre on the way to the recreation ground in East Street.

Sarah added: “It’s a great way to support the community.

“It’s going to be fun for all the family.

“Coggeshall is a small town and we don’t have many facilities.

“But we just want people to come along to Coggeshall and enjoy the town on the day.”

To find out more information about this year’s carnival, go to facebook.com/coggeshallcarnival.