6:10pm Friday 3rd July 2009
By Katie Adams
There were 20 entrants vying for places in this year's royal family for Melksham carnival.
Selection for the Queen, princess, prince and Queen mum took place on Sunday in the town’s Assembly Halls in front of a good turnout.
Organised by local couple Simon Richardson and Mimi Kevan, the competition saw 11 potential princesses, three potential Queens, four potential princes’ and two Queen mothers compete for a place in this year’s event.
Mr Richardson, who teachers Latin and ballroom dance and has recently moved to Bowerhill from Manchester, said contestants had to go up on stage in front of two impartial judges from out of the area and say why they thought they should win a place.
He said: “We wanted to have judges from outside Melksham so they didn’t know any of the kids competing. We had a really good turnout of princes this year, which I have heard was a bit different to last year, and was really good.”
Mr Richardson, 24, said he was hoping to make the competition more talent based next year and was thinking of asking contestants to show skills and exhibit talents on stage when trying out for a place.
The carnival will take place on Saturday, July 18 and royalty will include Carnival Queen Rebekah Jones and Princess Abbie Dark.
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