“The best for years” was a typical opinion from amongst the many thousands of people who attended this year’s 2013 Portchester Gala.

The carnival procession from the Wicor Mill pub along White Hart Lane to Portchester Castle featured some highly imaginative floats, along with marching bands, acrobats, the trikes and vintage cars.

Despite the windy weather, a bumper number of stalls and sideshows greeted the throng while the arena events all ran smoothly presenting colourful spectacles of dance and music throughout the day. Amongst the many displays were Zebedee, the Canine Partner demonstration dog (with owner, Glenys) impressing the audience with his skills in assisting disabled people to live independently, and Chris, a local Portchester lad and Iona, his partner who as “Circus Performance Duo” gave an impressive display of circus acrobatic skills.

Sarah Moss, manager at Portchester Community Association, organisers of the event said after two years where it rained, everyone pulled out the stops this year to ensure a great show. Local traders were magnificent support for the carnival and in donating some tremendous prizes for the raffle – proceeds from which will support Portchester Precinct’s Christmas Tree and lights. Such was the success of the Gala that stalls and carnival entries are already booking spaces for next year.

Sarah wanted to thank all who contributed financially which helps keep the Gala going each year, A G Stapleford and Sons sponsoring the programme and The Southern Co-operative. The 70 plus Gala Day volunteers crucial to the success of the event, English Heritage for use of the historic castle grounds; Lee from “Your Move” (Sponsors) who with Fareham Borough Councillor Jeff Fazackerly judged carnival entries and The Worshipful Mayor of Fareham, Councillor Susan Bayford with consort Cllr Brian Bayford for opening the Gala and presenting the prizes. The Mayor was fulsome in her praises for all the prize-winners, the very high standard of carnival parade entries and for the event organisers and volunteers.

Portchester Gala 2013 even made it to ‘The News’!  Click here for the article!