Carnival organisers praise 'resilient' Molesey folk

Held every year since the Queen's Jubilee in 1977, the event began as usual at 3pm with a parade of colour and music as 16 floats made their way along Walton Road to the West Molesey Recreation Ground.

Residents braved the inclement weather, which included patches of rain, to line the streets and cheer on the procession. Street collectors raised £405.62 which will go towards the costs of next year's carnival.

"Mr Mole" - Eric Ponsford of Western Avenue, West Molesey, led the parade for his fifteenth and last time, as he will be passing on the famous furry costume to a successor next year.

The father-of-six said it had been great fun, adding: "You get all the kids waving and saying 'hello Mr Mole'. I thoroughly enjoy it but like a lot of things you do in life it's time to pass it on to someone else. I've got someone ready to jump into the costume and my advice will be to enjoy it!"

Eric was awarded The Geoff Alexander Cup by the Molesey Carnival Committee in recognition of his 23 years on the organising committee.

Revellers were entertained by arena events and some 44 stalls, run by local schools, charities and groups, and there was also a popular funfair.

St Alban's Catholic School used its stall to promote healthy eating, by selling tasty ethnic foods cooked by a parent - Hansa Granzelius, and were the proceeds to pay for the newly rennovated library at the school in Beauchamp Road.

The Esher Molesey Garden Society reported a roaring trade in potted plants and said the carnival had been a great way to raise funds, increase its 450-strong membership, and spread the word about its flower show in August.

How was the carnival for you? Add a comment below and see pictures from the day.