ORGANISERS of one of Bewdley's most popular events will be celebrating four decades of summer fun and games on Saturday.

It is the 40th anniversary of Bewdley Carnival, which traces its origins back to late Wribbenhall miner, Ivor Caldwell, who was inspired by the spring bank holiday celebrations held every year in Highley in 1966.

He called a meeting and asked Bewdley groups and societies to get involved in organising a carnival in the town the following year.

It was held on a field near Sambourne Drive, which the bypass now runs through, and there was a host of stalls similar to the ones seen today with cakes, children's toys and a white elephant stand, as well as a tombola run by the committee.

There was a colourful procession through the town, with decorated lorries and a carnival queen, which was watched by thousands of spectators, both young and old.

Eda Wormald, of Sabrina Drive, who was a founder member of the committee and served for 20 years, said the first carnival was a great success, adding: "There used to be lots of people and they always made a big effort with the floats. There were some beautiful lorry displays. We used to use flat back lorries but you rarely see them now as it's too costly with insurance, which is a real shame."

The event grew in size over the years, with more and more clubs and societies in the town, including the Scout and Guide troops, churches, schoolchildren and sports teams entering floats in the procession.

She added: "I remember the Bark Hill Ladies Group always did something special. One year, they did one with the theme of the Snow Queen. I think because there wasn't so much on TV in those days, people spent a lot of their time making dresses for the carnival. Nowadays, I don't think people have the time to spend on them."

Mrs Wormald, who was mayor of Bewdley between 1971 and 1972 and whose husband, Graeme, also served on the committee for 20 years, continued: "Our aim was to make as much money as we could to give to local charities. It was also something that brought the people in the town together. You would go out in Load Street and there would be swarms of people waiting for the procession.

"In the earlier years, we always tried to get a well-known personality to open the carnival. One year we had the cast of Crossroads opening it."

Four decades later and the carnival is still drawing big crowds, who are now able to enjoy a week of activities building up to the big day.

Current committee secretary, Angie Pitt, who has been a member for 20 years, said:"It was always the first carnival in the area. We do get a lot of people and we have people coming from far and wide. Bewdley is known for its carnival.

"We don't get as many floats these days. I think it is down to the loss of industry in the area.

"There are just not the number of businesses there used to be but there is still plenty of other stuff going on. It still is an important part of the summer. We may be only a small town but we do our best."