It’s official – Biggleswade has a new royal family.
The Biggleswade Carnival Court has now been selected, and will be led by 2013 queen Paige Papworth, 13.
Paige, of Mead End, attends Biggleswade Academy: Holmemead Middle School.
Joining Paige in the new royal family for 2013 will be carnival princess Caitlin Nergaard, 10, who is also a pupil at Holmemead Middle.
Caitlin lives in Brunel Drive and she is very excited about appearing at the grand procession of floats on Saturday, June 22.
Paige is a former princess and was delighted to make her way up the monarchy for this year’s programme of events.
She said: “I really enjoyed being a princess and it will be wonderful to now be the carnival queen.
“I can’t wait to take part in the procession around the town and the prizes are also really nice to have as well.”
Caitlin said she is also thrilled with the prizes, and especially with the chocolates.
The queen and princess were selected at a special event at the Biggleswade United Working Men’s Club on Sunday (April 28).
Due to a lack of applications the carnival committee has been unable to name a new prince for the court.
But Jake Alexander, who was prince in last year’s carnival court, has agreed to return for this year’s grand procession of floats.
Pam Sawyer from the carnival committee said: “We were disappointed at the lack of interest and applications for the carnival prince role.
“We are very grateful to Jake for agreeing to come back this year and we hope there will be a greater level of interest in 2014.”
The grand procession is the highlight of Biggleswade Carnival but there are numerous other events, many held at the town’s Working Men’s Club in Church Street.
The schedule, finalised at a carnival committee meeting this week, begins with the darts night on Monday, June 10.
The popular duck race is down on the River Ivel in the Dan Albone Car Park on Sunday, June 16. This is followed that week by the quiz, bingo and crib nights.
The week is completed with the grand draw and kids disco at the Working Men’s Club on Sunday, June 23.
Members of the carnival committee will be in Biggleswade Market Square on Saturdays in June selling grand draw tickets and ducks for the duck race.
Proceeds from carnival events are distributed to worthy causes in the town.
More details on the Biggleswade Carnival will be featured in the Biggleswade Chronicle over the next few weeks.