THE annual Copythorne Carnival is celebrating its 70th anniversary this weekend – so we delve into the archives to remember the event in the 1990s.

Hundreds of participants and spectators gather in the New Forest every year to see the colourful and creative floats.

In 1990, the carnival had an Edwardian theme to mark the 80th anniversary of the local Scout group – the Second New Forest Stanley’s Own – who also organised the event.

“The group was formed by Major Sloane Stanley who used to own Paultons Park estate,” said scout leader Bob Higman.

The rain managed to stay away, but the 1993 carnival was a very different story. Drizzle dampened spirits for large parts of the day – although 500 people still managed to turn out for the fun, live bands, stalls and judging.

Eight floats took part in the procession, escorted by majorettes, a walking tableaux and decorated bicycles.

Luckily it stayed dry for the carnival’s 50th anniversary in 1997 when the procession through Cadnam, Bartley and Winsor was the climax to a week of activities which began with a vintage vehicle rally.