About Leighton-Linslade Carnival
Evidence of Carnival in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade can be found as far back as before the First World War. Carnivals were held in the 1920s and 1930s, and again in the early 1950s. By the mid-1950s the lack of support caused the Carnival to stop and whilst there were Carnival Queens selected, no Carnival was held. For a few years RAFA took over and selected a Wings Queen as part of their Battle of Britain commemorations.
In 1962 the Leighton Buzzard Youth Club, led by the late Peter Lymbery, decided to revive Carnival as a community event in the town. It drew people together and raised funds for the Youth Club and other local groups.
Volunteers have ensured that Carnival has been part of the calendar of local social events. The highlight of the event is the procession, comprising of float entries, both walking and on decorated lorries, that passes along a designated route through the town.
As an organisation, Leighton-Linslade Carnival now exists to preserve the historical tradition of carnival in Leighton-Linslade by holding Carnival in July each year, raises monies to distribute to charities and organisations benefiting the people of Leighton-Linslade, and runs an under 5s event in June each year to promote and assist pre-schools and playgroups, to provide singing and dancing sessions to give a learning experience of group performing and to allow young families to experience free activities that they may otherwise be unable to afford. It also holds an archive to preserve the history of Carnival in the town, much of which is available on the Carnival website.
The independent volunteer group looks forward to bringing Carnival to everyone for many years to come, with the continued support and participation of all those that have come to love this event every year.
2021 marked the 60th carnival in its modern day format, with a carnival procession winding through the town and finishing this year in Chartmoor Road. However, there are some records of Carnival going back to the early 19th century!
Our biggest aim is to foster great community spirit and to involve all the local residents and the general public from further afield to enjoy this much-loved event. We also strive to encourage as many local organisations to participate. One of the biggest benefits is the financial support we provide to many local charities and causes.
Together we can help to build stronger communities that are proud of their town and its local events.
Committee & Volunteers
To help with all the administrative and organisational tasks, there is a committee structure in place, as follows
Chairman Mark Freeman, 7 Station Road, Linslade LU7 2NA
Vice-Chairman Peter May
Treasurer Jan Wright
Secretary Kathy Keeley
Committee Members John Evans, Amanda White, Pat Carberry (Event Field Manager), Sheona Hemmings (Carnival Court Administrator), Susan Humphrey (Carnival’s Picnic in the Park Administrator), Jason Ayris, Louise Masterson (School Liaison Officer), Abbi Bown, Kirsten Sheppard, Alan Dill, Terry Baines.
Council Representative Cllr Michael Gallie
Elections are held annually in October at the AGM and all members are eligible to stand for a position on the committee. Membership of Leighton-Linslade Carnival is free of charge.
We welcome any enquiries from those wishing to get involved with Carnival and its associated events and there are a range of opportunities to get involved with one of the largest local community events in Leighton Buzzard.
If you would like to help us on a volunteer basis or as a member, we would be very grateful to hear from you. We always need helpers with leaflet and programme distribution, helping at events with setup and clearing up, manning stalls, accompanying the procession and so much more – the more helpers we can get, the easier it is to run such a large event successfully and you would be helping to raise funds for some very worthwhile causes too.
Please click the button below to send us your details.
However you may like to get involved, you will be made very welcome and we will provide you with all the training, appropriate clothing and support you need to help you enjoy Carnival as much as everyone else does!