THIS year’s Liphook Carnival has the makings of becoming one of the most successful and well supported events in the village calendar in recent history, attracting record-breaking sponsorship from both businesses and individuals.

Old Thorns Manor Hotel is sponsoring the bonfire and fireworks in Radford Park, while Hindhead BMW dealers Barons and housebuilders Taylor Wimpey have also joined the ranks of main sponsors.

Outgoing chairman Karen Feeney said: “We have Liphook’s sprint queen, Paralympic gold and bronze medallist Olivia Breen, crowning our Carnival Queen, Charlotte Moore, who will be accompanied by Princess Jessica Manns and her attendants, twin sisters Emily and Kate Coombs.

“We owe a huge debt of thanks to our main sponsor, Old Thorns Group marketing manager Simon Chivers has been fully on board supporting the bonfire and fireworks event.

“Old Thorns are very keen to support local charities and have already been very generous donating an overnight stay with breakfast and dinner as a raffle prize for our carnival quiz night.

“Laurence Jones, assistant sales manager at Barons BMW, has contributed toward the cost and generously donated a BMW driving experience to our quiz raffle earlier this year.

“Barons BMW are also busy making plans to take part in this year’s carnival procession. Taylor Wimpey’s sales and marketing director Roz Wells has also been very generous by contributing financially to the overall cost of the carnival.

“They value local communities where they build their new homes and are very keen to support long-standing events to give something back to them.

“We have some 30 other local business and individuals who also deserve to be mentioned, and without whom the event would not survive.

“Ollie Williams, branch manager from Homes estate agents, has put up boards around the village advertising the event and managing director of MiCare, Charlotte Lawrence, also offered her generous support.”

Karen will be handing over the reins to new committee member Sally Ann Cameron after this year’s event, having run the carnival for the last 11 years.

She said: “This will be my last year of chairing the carnival and I am very happy we have now found somebody to take over the reins. While I am still looking after this year’s event, Sally has already made a considerable contribution with her enthusiasm and drive to find new sponsors and muster up more support from the community and local businesses.

“It is time for a new person to take the carnival forward and ensure the tradition carries on for everyone in our village and Sally is the perfect choice.

“We are as always looking forward to seeing our favourite faces on carnival night but would also love to welcome new participants, so if you feel your are ready to come along and take part this is the year to do it. It’s completely free and no pre-booking is necessary.”

Sally, who owns The Beauti Pod on Station Road, said: “I have attended the Liphook Carnival for the last 17 years and it has always been a unique community experience for me. After leaving the Royal Air Force, I first worked in finance before embarking on a new career in beauty and opening my salon in Liphook 13 years ago.

“I joined the carnival committee last year and my first job was to assist with the fundraising and sponsorship, since we had a huge challenge ahead to raise funds for this year’s carnival. I feel very passionate about an event that has carried on for more than 100 years."

Sally continued: “I am looking forward to taking over the role of chairman in 2018, and I also understand I am following in some pretty amazing footsteps of Karen, who has managed the carnival very successfully for more than a decade.

“I am very lucky to have great support from my clients, as well as the other committee members who are equally as passionate as I am to maintain and grow Liphook’s Carnival.

“If anyone else is interested in joining the committee, please get in touch.”

The fun starts at 11am next Saturday (October 28) with the children’s fancy dress competition at Liphook Junior School, on Avenue Close.

Floats and all other participants will start to assemble on Logmoor Road from 4pm with judging taking place at 5.45pm.

The entertainment in The Square begins at 6.15pm, which this year includes a steel band as well as the Dolphin Marching Band and Surrey Pipe Band.

The procession moves off at 7pm to The Square, where the Carnival Queen will be crowned, and returns by 8.30pm, followed by the bonfire and fireworks event at Radford Park.

The committee has also distributed flyers around the village, reminding residents of roads closures on the night. Sainsbury’s supermarket will be closing both its store and petrol station at 6pm.

Longmoor Road will be closed from 2.30pm between The Square and The Avenue junction as the floats assemble. Headley Road, London Road, Midhurst Road, Station Road and Portsmouth Road closures will start at 6pm and most will reopen at 9pm, while London Road will remain closed until 10pm.

For more details or to get involved, visit liphookcarnival.org.uk.