Villagers bring magic to streets for milestone year

VILLAGERS came out in force for Norden Carnival. This year marked the 40th anniversary of the launch of the popular event.

The theme was ‘Magic Garden,’with marchers dressing as gnomes, fairies, flower pot men and in other horticulturalthemed costumes.

Among the groups and organisations taking part in the parade were Norden and Whittaker Moss primary schools, Rochdale Township in Bloom, Rochdale Lacrosse Club and Norden Women’s Institute.

Heywood and Middleton MP Liz McInnes, whose constituency includes Norden, and Mayor of Rochdale Coun Mohammed Zaman also took part in the parade.

The Friends of Norden Jubilee Park and Rochdale in Bloom members carried out a clean-up in the village ahead of the carnival and businesses in the village also decorated their windows for the parade.

Evelyne Corcoran was named best dressed girl; Best dressed boy was Harrison Snailham; Fisherfield Nursery won the best dressed float category; The best dressed walking group was 51st Rochdale Guides and Rainbows and Debbie Kaczkowski was named best dressed adult.

Writing on Facebook a spokesperson for the carnival organisers said: Another fantastic day at Norden Carnival.

“Even the rain managed to hide its head, well for most of the day.

“Thanks everyone coming.” for