Thousands of people headed to Blackwood at the weekend to enjoy the town’s annual carnival. CHRIS WOOD was among the revellers.

IT resembled a scene from cult film Quadrophenia, with 50 scooters riding down Blackwood High Street on Saturday, beeping their horns.

But, these mods weren’t heading to Brighton to take on the rockers, they were leading this year’s carnival through the town.

They were followed by a pink cadillac and then carnival queen, 15-year-old Hannah Watkins, the main lady after being a princess for the previous two years.

Around 500 people lined the streets of the town to cheer on the carnival parade, with this year’s theme heroes and villains.

Charlotte Kane of Oakdale put a new slant on the term cat burglar, dressing as a police officer and wheeling the offender – her pet cat Felix, in a makeshift prison cell.

Driving souped-up Peugeots and Micras, members of Blackwood and District Motor Club were perhaps giving a nod to recently-perceived villains of the area- the car cruisers that made the same journey on Thursday nights.

There was also a large supply of heroes, with Jake Tyler, 6, dressed as a fireman and members of Blackwood Little Theatre wearing T-shirts proclaiming ‘Every dad’s a hero’.

They promoted their next production – Dad’s Army, which is taking place later this year.

Among the floats there was also Cefn Fforest jazz band, an American civil war re-enactment society, youngsters from Tae Kwon-do Kids South Wales performing high kicks, vintage red buses and a classic police car.

Julia Witchell, from Oakdale, said: “The drums and bands were very good and it was nice to see so many people out to cheer it on.”

Wayne Parry said: “It was marvellous. I don’t come every year, but it was a really good parade, one of the best I’ve seen. I loved the buses and cars.”

The parade made its way to the civic centre in Pontllanfraith, where attractions included a dog show, donkey rides, American wrestling and music including talented local singer Yasmine Davies.

Organiser and councillor Andrew Farina- Childs said: “It all went really well. It was absolutely fantastic.

Thousands showed up, there must have been between 5,000 and 10,000 people. They lined the streets all the way down to Pontllanfraith.

“It was brilliant and showed all the hard work the team behind it have put in.”