TWO years after first being chosen to lead the procession at one of the south’s biggest carnival’s, a pair of young ambassadors will finally have their big moment.
Youngsters Millie and Lavinia-Dior were selected as the faces of the annual Swanage Carnival in 2020 when they were aged just 11 and eight years old, before the pandemic forced its cancellation that year and the next.
Now aged 13 and 10 and after two long years of waiting, Millie and Lavinia-Dior are set to take centre stage in this year’s eight-day event in July and August.
The duo joined carnival president Maria Foot, carnival secretary Kevin Langdon and Chris Pemberton from ambassadors’ sponsor Ellis Jones Solicitors to start the countdown to this year’s carnival.
Kevin said: “It’s been a long two years for everyone involved in Swanage Carnival but especially for Millie and Lavinia-Dior.
“They have been incredibly patient but, like the rest of us, are hugely excited that the carnival is going ahead this year.
“It promises to be one of the biggest and best yet and we can’t wait to get going.”
The carnival will be held from Saturday, July 30 to Saturday, August 6 and usually attracts more than a quarter of a million people and raises about £30,000 for good causes.
Swanage School pupil Millie and Swanage Primary School pupil Lavinia-Dior will have their hands full with several responsibilities at the carnival – judging competitions, opening events, joining in activities and leading the grand procession.
Ellis Jones Solicitors is a long-running sponsor of the carnival and partner Chris Pemberton, based in the Swanage office, said it was “great to see” the carnival finally return.
He said: “It’s a superb event for the community and visitors, and as a local firm we are proud to play our part in its success.”
The Swanage Carnival, which has existed for more than 200 years, includes a range of festivities including dog shows, live bands, sand sculpture competitions, go-kart racing as well as a wheelbarrow race encompassing every pub in the town.
Visit swanagecarnival.com and ellisjones.co.uk for more details.
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