doddington carnival

The race is on at Doddington Sports Day

Posted on July 5, 2014 Updated on July 7, 2014

Budding local Usain Bolts are taking to the track at the Recreation Field this afternoon as Doddington Sports Day commences.

The annual event, in its 22nd year, is free entry for residents with a programme or £1 if you do not have a programme. It is an additional £1 to park your car on the field.

If sport isn’t your thing there’s more fun to be had, with face painting, bouncy castles, a bucking bronco and raffles. There’s plenty of food on offer, including burgers and cakes, and a Spitfire flyover is due around 3-3.30pm.

Click on any of the photos below to view them full-size:

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This entry was posted in Events, News and tagged benwick, cambridgeshire, cambs, chatteris, doddington, doddington carnival, doddington sports, fens, march, the fens, wimblington.

Doddington abuzz with excitement as carnival approaches

Posted on July 4, 2014 Updated on July 7, 2014

Doddington Carnival & Sports Day is nearly upon us, and Cambridgeshire County Council has got into the spirit by posting a photo (above) of a Scarecrow Competition entrant on its Twitter page.

Countless scarecrows have been put up around the village, with the Doddington News Facebook page claiming to have seen Mr Bump, Buzz Lightyear, Britain’s Got Talent, SpongeBob Squarepants, Tellytubbies, Marge Simpson and Bob the Builder.

The Doddington Carnival & Sports Committee has posted a schedule for the event on its website, and also announced the times of road closures.

Church Lane will be closed from 8.30am until 1pm and Primrose Hill, Newgate Street, New Street, High Street, Childs Lane and Manor Estate will all closed from 9.30am until 12.30pm.

“Rumour has it float building is going well, lots of hard work and hours have been put in,” a Committee spokesperson said on Facebook. “Make sure you come to the Church Saturday morning & show your support.”

“Don’t forget it’s not all over once the procession ends,” the spokesperson added.”Come down to Benwick Road, Sports Field from 1:30 for lots of fun & sports – bring your 2014 Carnival programme to get in free!”

The Committee also asked residents for help in the future.

Posting on Facebook, the Committee said: “The event takes a lot of work by a remarkably small group of people. It can be very a rewarding, but equally thankless task. Not everything goes to plan, but we try and put on a good show for the village.”

“Every year we naturally lose a few committee members for many reasons, this year will be no exception,” the message continues. “If you feel you could offer your services next year and beyond please talk to one of the committee tomorrow, or come along to the AGM in Sept/Oct – date to be confirmed.”

The Doings will have coverage of Doddington Carnival & Sports throughout the day, so stay tuned!

– Tim Lince

This entry was posted in Events, News and tagged benwick, cambridgeshire, cambs, carnival, country, doddington, doddington carnival, england, event, fens, the fens, uk, village.

Anyone can enter a float for this year’s TV-themed Doddington Carnival

Posted on May 25, 2014 Updated on May 25, 2014

The Doddington Carnival & Sports Committee is offering trailers, lorries, tractors, drivers and building spaces to make it easy for anyone to enter a float for this year’s Doddington Carnival.

The annual event, to be held on July 5 this year, dates back to 1922 and is a much-loved community tradition.

The floats that travel through the village on the morning of the Carnival have usually been built by local clubs and groups. However, a reliable source told the Doings that groups of people, such as family, friends or neighbours, can easily work together to make a float this year.

“It’s a really good opportunity to work together on a fun project that’s seen by the entire village, and thankfully this year the committee is really pleased to be able to provide even more transport, trailers, drivers and building spaces for anyone interested in building a float,” the source explained.

“There are trailers varying in size, so whether it’s just a small group of friends or a whole army of people, there will definitely be a suitably sized trailer!”

This year’s theme for the floats is TV Programmes, which the source says will “generate endless ideas for float entries”.

“Even businesses can promote themselves by choosing a TV programme that matches the nature of their business; for instance, garden centres could enter as Gardeners World, hairdressers as Channel 4’s Great British Hairdresser, builders could enter as DIY SOS… the list is endless!”

There’s still plenty of time for people to enter a float to take part in this year’s procession.

“It is hoped that villagers will give Doddington Carnival & Sports the support it deserves, as without them the day simply wouldn’t be able to go ahead,” the source added.

To enter or for more information, contact Jason Shepherd by email (jasonhshepherd@btinternet.com) or phone (07980 795398).

Further information about Doddington Carnival & Sports, including photos from previous years, can be found on the committee’s website.

This entry was posted in News and tagged benwick, business, cambridgeshire, cambs, carnival, chatteris, doddington, doddington carnival, doddington sports, fenland, fens, float, march, sports, the fens, uk, village, wimblington.