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Before The Carnival


*Front-garden competition


Calling all you green-fingered gardeners out there. This Carnival Year we hope to run a front garden competition, but it won’t happen if you don’t enter your gardens. Whether you have a hanging basket, a window box, or rolling acres out front, there will be a category for you. NOW is the time to get planning and planting, and make our village bloom for 2008.

For further information contact Maureen Myers on 01344 772325. Prizes have kindly been donated by West London Mental Health NHS Trust.

*eXpression Art Gallery raffle


eXpression art gallery is holding a raffle of the David Shepherd wildlife print "After The Rain" in support of the Zambia’s orphaned elephants emergency appeal.

The sale of raffle tickets will start on 1st June when the pictures will be on display in the Gallery, opposite the new library, Crowthorne. The winner will be drawn in August/September 2008.

*Shop window competition


All Crowthorne traders are invited to take part in the shop window competition. Dress your window with the theme "Fun & Fantasy" for judging on carnival day. Entry forms are available to download from this site.

Saturday July 5th


*Procession ~ noon


Our Carnival swings into action with the spectacular procession of colourful floats prepared by many local organizations, who will be giving us their slant on the Carnival theme of "Fun & Fantasy".

After the judges have selected the best in each of four categories, the parade will leave Wellington Business Park at 12 noon, led by Reading Scottish Pipe Band, proceeding down Dukes Ride and the High Street to the Morgan Recreation Ground. As the procession approaches the Morgan Recreation Ground, they will pass PG Stompers Jazz Band entertaining us from in front of Crowthorne Library.

The procession will include floats from local schools and organizations as well as the Carnival Princess and her attendants, with additional entertainment being provided by Circus Scene roving performers.

Entry to the procession is free, so if you’d like to participate but have not received a form, please contact a member of the committee.

*Fete & Entertainments ~ 1:30pm


The Morgan Recreation Ground will be the centre of the afternoon's entertainment. This year's show will be opened by Councillor Robert Edger OBE - The Worshipful Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell at 1.30 pm.

Once again, the fete features a fully equipped mobile stage for acts performing during the afternoon. The running times are listed on this page. The fairground will be on the field as always, but new this year is the Hands on Arts Pavilion. We also have the Nike Ski Slope, providing fun and excitement for all the family. In addition, there will be usual mix of stalls and amusements from local societies, charities and traders, as well as the ‘Gourmet Tent’ with food provided by local traders. If that is not enough, a selection of clowns will be providing entertainment right across the field.

On the main stage, Edgbarrow Swing Band start proceedings with a musical selection to get everyone in the Carnival mood. The Lafour Dance & Drama School will showcase some of their music & dance routines, followed by Reading Scottish Pipe Band’s pipes & drums display. South East Berks Gang Show will present their take on “High School Musical” with “My School Musical”, students from Jayne A Coleman Academy of Dance will demonstrate dance routines, and Crowthorne Musical Players will perform songs from the musicals. The afternoon finishes with a colourful and exciting grand Samba Circus finale.

Main Stage Programme

  1. 1.30 ~ Fete opening & Presentations
  2. 1.40 ~ Edgbarrow Swing Band
  3. 2.00 ~ Lafour Dance & Drama School
  4. 2.20 ~ Reading Scottish Pipe Band
  5. 2.30 ~ South East Berks Gang Show
  6. 2.50 ~ Jayne A Coleman Academy of Dance
  7. 3.10 ~ Crowthorne Musical Players
  8. 3.30 ~ Samba Circus grand finale
These timings may vary slightly. Please listen to announcements on the day.

*Crowthorne Orchestra ~ 8pm


The Crowthorne Orchestra close Carnival Day with an evening of classical music at the Old Gym at Wellington College. The theme of the concert is “Music From The British Isles”, and the programme for the evening includes:
  1. Arnold: Scottish Dances
  2. Grace Williams: Fantasia on Welsh Airs
  3. Peter Dodd: Irish Idyll
  4. Elgar: Enigma Variations
The conductor will be Gwyn Parry-Jones.
Tickets are available from Telstar Traveltime, Crowthorne High Street. Further information can be obtained at www.crowthorneorchestra.com or by contacting Ruth Winchester on 0118 972 2164.

*Entertainment Evening ~ 7:45pm


Fake, a local cover band, provide live music at the Parish Hall with their versions of hits from the 1960s to the present day. Additional entertainment for the evening is provided by Crowthorne Amateur Theatrical Society, who will perform various skits.

Tickets, priced at £5 each, are on sale now from Whimsical, High Street, and Bewitched, Dukes Ride.


Tuesday July 8th


*Schools Music Festival ~ 8pm


By kind permission of the Master of Wellington College, the chapel has been made available for this lively and popular event which will be staged by the massed choirs of our local Junior Schools. They will performing jointly as well as individually.

The festival attracts enormous support and owing to the limited capacity of the Chapel, entry is by Festival Programme only. This is available from participating schools.

*Elvis at The Mango Tree


Elvis comes to Crowthorne! The Mango Tree restaurant kindly hosts this very popular event during Carnival week. Advance bookings are essential - contact the restaurant on 01344 777771 to reserve your place.

Wednesday July 9th


*Darby and Joan Tea Party ~ 2-6pm


All senior citizens living in Crowthorne are invited to come along to the Parish Hall and enjoy a lovely tea. The Crowthorne Princess and her attendants will be there to meet you.

Admission is FREE, by ticket only, available from the Churches, Coffee Shops, Carlysle Court, Good Neighbours, Rothwell House, the Jubilee Club at St Sebastian's and the Thursday Fellowship at the Baptist Church. Transport to and from the Parish Hall will be available on request.

*CATS Panto Read Through ~ 8-10pm


Crowthorne Amateur Theatrical Society will be holding an open read-through of their chosen pantomime script, "Dick Turpin Rides Again!" by Richard Hills, at the Parish Hall.

If you’ve ever wanted to get involved in amateur dramatics, but haven’t quite known where to start, why don’t you come along? You can have a laugh and get to know us during an informal evening, and can see if there are any roles you’d like to consider auditioning for.


Thursday July 10th


*Bingo night ~ 7:30pm


Come along and play a game of bingo and help support your local charity.

Arrive at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. The entrance is only 50p, so why not give it a go if you’re feeling lucky.


Friday July 11th


*Wine and Wisdom Quiz ~ 7:30pm


We are pleased to include this event which, in recent years, has become a regular and popular part of Carnival. All questions will be answered on a team basis and you need a team of 8 to take part. There will be eight rounds of questions, picture rounds and a music marathon with everything from classical through to the present day.

Tickets are £8.50 per person to include a glass of wine and a fish and chip supper. A bar will be available. Tickets, which must be bought in advance, will be available in June from Bewitched (174 Dukes Ride) or Whimsical (High Street).

So get a team together - we'll supply the wine: you supply the wisdom.


Saturday July 12th


*Art Exhibition ~ 11am-4pm


Crowthorne and Sandhurst Art Society presents an exhibition and sale of art at the Morgan Centre.

Crowthorne and Sandhurst Art Society are a happy group of people who enjoy their hobby on a regular basis. From beginners to more advanced painters and of all ages, they are constantly learning new methods from demonstrators who visit every month. They meet at St. Sebastian's Memorial Hall on the Nine Mile Ride, Crowthorne, on the second and fourth Friday evening from 7.30 - 9.30pm. They also meet informally every Wednesday afternoon from 1.15 - 3.45pm to paint and learn together. New members are always welcome and visitors may come to demonstrations. Ask at the exhibition for more details.

*Flower Festival ~ 10am-6pm


The Flower Festival, kindly sponsored by the Crowthorne Eye, is this year raising money for Daisy's Dream, a charity supporting bereaved children and their families in Berkshire. The Festival is once again being held at St John's Parish Church, and this year's theme is "Fun & Festivals".

Throughout the weekend there will be musical interludes, an exhibition by Wokingham Embroiderer's Guild, Crowthorne Crafts patchwork/quilting display, and demonstrations by the North Downs Lacemakers. The Saturday will also feature children's flower arranging between 2-4pm.

*Barn Dance


At Hatch Ride Primary School, by popular request, the return of the Carnival Dance.

Barn Dances are one of the most enjoyable ways to have a good old dance. No disco music, no reggae, just a real live music group "Random Assortment" playing for you; music guaranteed to get your foot tapping.

Get together a group of friends and relatives, or simply come on your own, to join in an evening of huge fun. A fish & chip supper is included and there is a pay bar. Tickets are on sale now from Bewitched (174 Dukes Ride) and Whimsical (High Street).


Sunday July 13th


*Art Exhibition ~ 11am-4pm


Crowthorne and Sandhurst Art Society presents an exhibition and sale of art at the Morgan Center.

*Flower Festival ~ noon-6pm


Throughout the weekend there will be musical interludes, an exhibition by Wokingham Embroiderer's Guild, Crowthorne Crafts patchwork/quilting display, and demonstrations by the North Downs Lacemakers.

*Songs of Praise ~ 6:30pm


The traditional end-of-Carnival church service will take place at 6.30pm after the closing of the flower festival at St. John’s Parish Church. Join the congregation in singing praise at the end of the carnival.

Monday July 14th


*Flower Festival ~ 10am-4pm


Throughout the weekend there will be musical interludes, an exhibition by Wokingham Embroiderer's Guild, Crowthorne Crafts patchwork/quilting display, and demonstrations by the North Downs Lacemakers.

After The Carnival


*Photography competition


This year, we want your best photos of the Crowthorne Carnival - whether it’s the procession, the fete, or one of the other events during the week. There will be three age categories: under 10, 10-16, and adult.

Entry forms will be available from The Big Picture, High Street, or for download from the Carnival website after July 13th. Entries must be submitted by September 17th, with the winners being announced at the Carnival AGM in October. There will be prizes for the winners, and a display of entries will be put up in Crowthorne Library.