This special Accrington Carnival celebrated 50 years. Earlier in the year the search was on for  former Carnival Queens to join the parade and six of them obliged ranging from 1985 when Tracy Stevenson won to most recent past Carnival Queen, Kimberley Robinson in 2013.

I interviewed each one on their float and here are the highlights of what they said.
First I spoke to 1985 Queen, Tracy Stevenson and asked her what she remembered of that day some thirty years ago. This is what she told me.

“I really enjoyed it. The weather was much as it is today. There was a really nice atmosphere. All the community rallied round and supported everybody by showing up to the event and supporting the carnival.”

Next I spoke to 2007 winner Romi Young and asked what her recollections of that day were.

“It was very wet. I had to wear wellies; I remember that. It was good day – a really good day. There were so many good things in my time as Carnival Queen. It was all good and I couldn’t pick out any one event off the top of my head.”

I then chatted to Nicola Ince, Queen in 1991. She told me:

“It was wet again!”

About her time in office she says:

“I remember opening a Charity Event for Accrington Lions at Rishton and went to a few places opening things.”

Kimberley Robinson, the predecessor of this year’s queen from 2013 told me what she remembers most fondly.

“Definitely the Carnival Day; it was very interesting.  It rained during the parade but was sunny afterwards.”

Of her time she says her abiding memory was,

“People knowing I was the Carnival Queen. They came up to me and said: ‘I know you; you’re the Carnival Queen.”

I asked if she had any advice for Bethany Donohue, her successor.

“I would say to her, take every opportunity because it benefits you. You get your name out there and you get to be involved with all the events and meet new people.”

Next I spoke to 2011 Carnival Queen, Megan Adams. She told me:

“It was really good time. The night was really good when we were all crowned. That was really good.”

Of the Carnival Day she said:

“It rained in the morning and then it fined up, so it was a really good day.”

Joanne Walker was the recipient of the crown in 2001 and I asked her what she recalled from that time.

“I just remember the night itself. It was a really great night. There were 19 girls in it (the final)."

Her advice to Bethany was; “Just enjoy the day; just to enjoy her time as the queen and every opportunity she has to do something and wear her sash, to make the most of it.”

One thing all the girls agreed on though was how lovely new Carnival Queen, Bethany Donohue is and that she will be a great ambassador, both for Accrington, and The Lions over the next two years.

We at Acorn Community News wish Bethany all the best and hope that she enjoys every moment of her time wearing her sash.

We would also like to thank sincerely all the former winners for the part they played on this special day and for their willingness to be interviewed and photograph. I am sure you will agree that without exception they were all worthy winners.