FAMILIES across the New Forest braved the on-and-off rain for the 72nd annual Copythorne Carnival. 

This year’s theme of ‘imagination’ saw dozens of quirky outfits among the crowd, and dozens of decorated floats took to the main road for the afternoon procession.

Activities throughout the day included a magic act, a heavy-object relay race and a large-scale tug of war, where children lined up at one end, and the other was attached to a steam engine. The children won. 

Rob Good, who was chairman of the event for his first time, said: “I’m well and truly over the moon of what we’ve achieved – but of course, we could’ve done with a bit of better weather.
“I’ve been taking the kids to the carnival for the last seven or eight years, so to be such a big part of it now is amazing.

“We tried some new, fresh ideas, which most of worked. One event at a time, I say – but I’m already excited to start planning again.”

All proceeds from the event are to go towards the development of young people between 6-25 years of age within the local community.

The carnival will continue today (June 9) with the Steam and Vintage Rally, running at the Scout Hut in Romsey Road between 11am and 5pm.