EASTER BONNET PARADE

A cold and wet Easter Monday saw six decorated turnouts leaving The Raven for a pleasant drive into Whitchurch where two small ponies who had been saving their legs also joined the party. After final adjustments to turnouts and bonnets we paraded in front of Tesco where staff kindly welcomed us with wine and fruit juice as well as Easter eggs for the eventual prize winners. All the horses and ponies enjoyed the attention of members of the public before the final judging which was ably carried out by the Mayor of Whitchurch, Councillor Mike McDonald. Everyone received a commemorative rosette and horse brass before the Mayor made his final choice of prize winners.
Large Easter eggs were awarded to Georgina Lusby, with Jennifer Marren, Helen James and Corky for the best decorated children’s bonnet and Sue Cole with Frank Bullock and Sam the Man for the best decorated adult’s bonnet. The best overall carriage award and cup was well deserved by Jim Rodgers and Lily-Ann Rodgers with Elsa for their ingenious nest with a hatching chick emerging from her egg! They were accompanied by Sarah and James Rodgers with their grey pony Splodge – a real family outing.
Also parading were Wendy Green with Twiglet, Felicity Stubbs and Avril Pluck with Amber, David Brown and Dawn Burns and June Bottomley, with their piebald horse Paddy and last but by no means least Georgina Venables and Tyler Shelton with their little chestnut pony Elliott. Many thanks to Dot Moreland for organising the day and to Chris, Brenda, Philip, Sue, Ursula for cars and stewarding and apologies if I have missed anyone out – please feel free to let me know and thank you anyway.