Pictures of Hedge End carnival in July 1974

When Hedge End carnival kicked off on July 6, 1974, their events were hampered by poor weather, despite there eventually being light at the end of the long, dark, wet tunnel.

The sun shone on the procession, the highlight of carnival week, even though the weather beforehand had been miserable.

Organisers said it was the biggest parade by far with more floats and children’s entries than ever before.

A record number of people attended the playing fields at Upper Northam Road, and the street collection exceeded the previous year’s record by almost £40.

In the recreation ground, St Johns Road, the parade entries were judged.

Yvonne Mullins was crowned carnival queen by Uncle Tony of the Echo before the procession moved off.

Yvonne and her senior attendants, Janet Arthurs and Judith Curtis, travelled in an open top 1937 Vauxhall and were followed by a 1938 Rolls-Royce bearing the carnival princesses, Penny Ingle and Nicola Tardif.

As the procession left the village, the Gosport Sea Cadet band and the Spencerettes led the way.

Hedge End carnival takes place over the first weekend of July this year.