Tynedale's Haltwhistle Carnival through the years

Nancy Brewis was crowned Haltwhistle’s first-ever carnival queen in 1936 and was quite rightly treated like royalty for a day.

In the 1950s, a clock went up on Main Street with a dedication to Haltwhistle Carnival printed on its dial.

Haltwhistle Carnival in 2014. A float from Haltwhistle Community Campus Lower School goes back to nature (Image: Newsquest)

In the latter stages of the 20th century, the long-standing event took a breather before being relaunched in 1989 by the Haltwhistle town twinning committee, to celebrate the town’s partnership with French town St Meen le Grande.

READ MORE: Town's colourful carnival celebrates 30th anniversary in summer

The Benidorm float in 2014 with Rebecca Oliver, Penny Scarth, and Abbie Railton in front (Image: Kate Miller)

In 1991, a dedicated carnival committee was set up, and has continued to organise and raise funds for the event.

A few years later, the sun shone brightly on the event in 2014 as crowds lined pavements all the way from the fire station and along the main street.

Mrs Brown's Boys float set in 2014 (Image: Kate Miller)

The float parade began featuring the set from TV series Benidorm on the trailer of one lorry and the stage of Mrs Brown's Boys transported on another.

The floats gave off themed music with Cliff Richard's tune Summer Holiday capturing the mood.

Haltwhistle Carnival princess Georgia Ryan with attendants Isaac Rogan and Annalise Hall in 2014 (Image: Kate Miller)

The procession is the traditional curtain-raiser for a day out for all the family at Bellister Haughs, the sizeable and versatile carnival field, where opportunities are endless for fairground-loving youngsters.

Friends of Haltwhistle Community Campus Lower School as characters from Wizard of Oz at Haltwhistle Carnival (Image: Newsquest)

Haltwhistle's own Conrad Dickinson then took his position as judge for the day, following in the footsteps of the preceding year's judge, BBC weatherman Paul Mooney.

The official start of the Haltwhistle Carnival in 2014, as the Duck Race begins from the blue bridge, finishing at Alston Arches (Image: Tony Iley)

He praised the efforts of two people dressed as giant potatoes; farm animals which had been created out of cardboard boxes; two aliens who landed off the Toy Story float and the two teenagers who appeared as senior citizens on a mobility scooter towing an armchair.

Haltwhistle Community Campus lower school's staff float had a magical theme in 2016 (Image: Newsquest)

Not just an annual tradition, the floats were a family and friends affair for the carnival secretary Ann Pattinson and her husband Anthony. 

Their son, Jamie, who was 22 at the time, was the brains behind the Toy Story float after enjoying 15 years of float building with his parents and friends Janet Jackson, Rebecca Jackson and Kate Jackson.

Haltwhistle First School at the Carnival in 2019 (Image: Kate Buckingham)

The fair was filled with attractions on the field including hook-a-duck and dart throwing to market stalls and a catering tent.

Haltwhistle Community Campus Lower School with an underwater theme in 2013 (Image: Kate Miller)

Vintage vehicles were on display including a 1950s bus.

Music filled the air with songs from St Steven's Brass Band, Uketeers Ukelele Band, Lyrical Whisky, the Hexham Morrismen, the Mini Street Dance Group and 15-year-old Amy Ridley.