NOTHING could dampen the spirit of participants and revellers at this year’s 114th Liphook Carnival, which proved to be another triumphant event for the village.

Despite a heavy downpour at Saturday teatime, just before the procession was due to begin, more than 3,000 people poured into the village to take part in one of its biggest events of the year.

The entertainment was led by the Bournemouth Carnival Band and the Dolphin Marching Band, followed by Liphook Fire and Rescue, as well as fire engines from Basingstoke and Alton into the Square and St John Ambulance crews.

The royal float for this year’s Carnival Queen Jodie Molesworth, accompanied by Princess Megan Shepherd and her two attendants Lily Windle and Mamta Tamang, was sponsored by Liphook Carpet Warehouse and on loan from Oakley Stables.

Liphook Social Club’s entry ‘Starwars’ summed up the evening with their slogan - May the Force be with you, but not the Weather!

A team of 18 Jedi fans aged between three and 80, spent six months building the float, which featured all main characters, including Princess Leia, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Yoda, R2-D2 and Obi-Wan Kenobi, reaching second place in the Best Pub and Clubs category.

But the stars of this year’s carnival were undoubtedly Liphook Girl Guides with their entry showing scenes from the Disney movie Frozen, which won them Best Overall, first prize in the Children’s Floats category, as well as Best Illuminated.

The 50 Guides and Brownies took six weeks painting and decorating their float as well as making their own costumes.

For full story and lots more colourful pictures from this year’s carnival, see this week’s Liphook Herald