Looking back at the Hexham Carnival through the years

The event began in 2014 with the mayor Audrey Hutchinson starting proceedings with a demonstration of her line dancing skills.

The renaissance of the carnival, formerly the town fair, continued with fine weather bringing out thousands of locals to enjoy the attractions on offer.

The army assault course in aid of QE400, Queen Elizabeth High School's birthday appeal for new facilities, proved popular with participants and spectators alike in 2014 (Image: Newsquest)

In addition to line dancing from the Texan Legionnaires, there was music from the Sunshine Panners, Quake and the Take Away band to entertain visitors.

Hexham Carnival 2014. The Sinks during their set at the Bandstand (Image: Tony Iley)

There were stalls and tombola and fun on the Sele, with sheep-shearing demonstrations and dancing with local troupe Splitz.

The sheep shearing demonstration at Hexham Carnival in 2014 (Image: Newsquest)

Town crier Ian Hepple looked the part in traditional costume. He joined Hexham MP, Peter Atkinson and his wife Brione in a horse-drawn carriage which followed the drummers of the Air Training Corps at the front of the traditional parade.

The colourful floats were joined by a collection of vintage cars and tractors as they made their way from the Black Mart site to the Sele.

Queen Elizabeth High School celebrates its 400th birthday by participating in the Hexham Carnival (Image: Newsquest)

The Beaufront First School's Ring-a-Ring o' Roses float won the best-dressed award, with Robbs' Alice in Wonderland taking second place.

A full-scale military assault course was a gruelling test for the teams which took part to fundraise for the QE400 appeal, to raise £400,000 for new facilities at Hexham's high school in its 400th birthday year. It made £600 profit.

Hexham MP Peter Atkinson presents the runner-up prize in the best-dressed float competition to the float entered by Robbs' Fore Street, Hexham, store (Image: Newsquest)

One attraction which failed to materialise was the air ambulance, a last-minute callout preventing it from touching down in the Sele.

The chamber of trade organised the carnival.

Hexham Carnival parade enters Beaumont Street on its way to the Sele (Image: Newsquest)

Several years later, in 2018, the star attractions were young dancers from the Affleck Academy of Ballet, while singers Callum Tord and Stacey Anderson belted out the tunes.

Slater’s Family Funfair brought along fairground attractions, which provided something for all ages.

In 2019, along with live music from Tynedale musicians Shaun Fenwick and Mark Graham, there were dance performances from Hexham Morris dancers and the visiting Carlisle Clogs.

Liam Bewick, 6, and his brother Jack, 4, who were to move into the Hexham area soon from Hereford, had their faces painted at the Carnival (Image: Newsquest)

The duo arranged a varied line-up to appeal to all ages, with The SubLimes, Pretty Vacant, The Junk Yard Geordies, Earl Grey and the Charwallahs, The Northern Lights and Stratosphonic appearing on the Bandstand stage.