THE floats, the walkers and the cycling groups lined up proudly for their own special judgement day at Copythorne Carnival - and no one really noticed that one of the judges was one of Britain's leading clergymen.
It is an event which loves to have independent judges from outside the area and Doctor Barry Morgan, the Archbishop of Wales, came all the way to Hampshire to share judging duties with former New Forest District Council chairman David Scott and his wife Rosemary, Sharon Arney from Devon and architect David Smith from Waterlooville.
"He wanted to keep it low key, so he came incognito and asked us not to announce him," said Roy Farmers, one of the long-serving organisers from Stanley's Own Scout group, which runs the carnival.
It was a similar situation on Sunday morning when the head of the Church in Wales, who had stayed in the area overnight, went unannounced to Sung Communion. But he was recognised there by the Vicar, Canon Neil Crawford-Jones, who spoke to him at the door after the service.
This year was the event's 60th anniversary and the carnival had diamonds as its theme. Saturday saw the event's longest-yet procession - it stretched three-quarters of a mile and took 90 minutes to complete the three-mile route.
But there was one setback for one of the carnival's great supporters - S & K Scaffolding, who provided four of their lorries for the parade. They had one truck stolen overnight on Friday/Saturday.
It had been due to carry the the Methodist Youth Group but they were helped out at the last minute by Clive Dibden from Cadnam.
The event was well up to its usual standards and organising committee chairman Alan Catt said: "We are extremely grateful to all the organisations who played their part in supporting the event and to the hundreds who turned up both on Saturday and at the vintage rally on Sunday.
The procession was also given an impressive boost by steam engines, which brought up the rear. They were there for the vintage rally the following day, again organised by Bob Smith, which was also a big success.
In addition to the big display of vintage vehicles, there was a threshing machine demonstration where Canadian wheat was turned into flour and then into bread, which was baked at the rally.
Once again, the carnival featured its traditional trek cart race in which Everett Troop beat King's Troop - but King's were crowned at the end of the day when they won the top award for Scout and Guide floats in the carnival procession Visiting Explorer Scouts from Cattisfield, near Fareham, turned up for a challenge race against the Stanley's Own Explorers and won.
On Saturday night, there was an open air dance at the Scout Field, organised by the friends' associations of Bartley and Copythorne Schools.
Results: Scouts and Guides' floats: 1, King Scouts (Diamond Geezers); 2, Zulu Cubs (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs); 3 (joint), 1st Copythorne Guides (Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend) and Rainbow Guides (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star).
Other decorative floats: 1 (joint), Copythorne Pre-School (Pink Panther) and Copythorne Amateur Theatrical Society (Pink Panther Diamond Prom); 3, Romsey Methodist Circuit Youth Group (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs).
Fancy dress (two or more walking tableaux): 1 (joint), The Mason Family (Run of Diamonds); and Maddy Burley and Courtney Cron (Diamond Robbers); 3, Paula, Bryony and Tanya (Diamond Hand).
Individual fancy dress: 1, Julie Burley (I'm a Diamond Geezer); 2, June Reed (The Old Queen of Diamonds); 3, Russell Haugh (Suit of Diamonds).
Decorated cycles (adults): 1, Clare and Owen Mills (Diamonds of Some Sort); 2, Reg Wingham (The Diamond); 3, Clive Wingham (Just Sweet Sixty).
Decorated cycles (juniors): 1, Elliott Haugh (Inspector Clousseau and the Pink Panther); 2, Louis Haugh (Ace of Diamonds).
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