Woolaston Carnival motoring along

A CAVALCADE of vehicles on two wheels and four got the Woolaston Carnival off to a high-powered start on Saturday (July 6).

Members of the Forest of Dean Motorcycle Group and owners of classic and high-performance cars, including the American Auto Club, did two circuits of the village before joining the rest of the carnival on the playing field.

The carnival is organised by the Woolaston Village Hall committee and is the major fund-raiser for the facility.

Local groups such as the Guides, Woolaston Art Group and the Woolaston Allotments and Gardening Society had stalls or displays to raise funds and awareness.

Woolaston Guides were raising money to send one of their young leaders, Hannah Rogers, to Norway next year as part of 12-strong contingent from Gloucestershire.

The Woolaston Art Group had a display of work by members in various media, including oils and watercolours, in the village hall.

The group meets there on Tuesdays and is one of many local organisations to be based there.

There was music from the Chepstow Community Big Band and the Forest Treblemakers and performances by the Widders Border Morris.

Mark Spiller, of the Woolaston Village Hall committee, said: “It's all about raising funds for the Woolaston Memorial Hall and other local organisations.

“We've called it the Woolaston Motor Carnival this year because we have more vehicles than we've ever had.

“It's a chance to come together as a community, have fun and raise funds.

“It's our biggest fund-raiser every year.

“We've installed a new slide and play equipment for the young people and a new basketball hoop and that comes from the funds the village hall generates.

“Lots of groups make use of the village hall, it is in use every day of the week.”