Engines were revving and gears crunching as Ernesettle warmed up for a summer fun day with a difference at this year’s Car-nival – a celebration of motoring, family fun and local ingenuity, as children and families rose to the challenge to build the best cardboard car to parade on Ernesettle Green.
From cardboard classics to long distance lorries, local children proudly paraded their crafted cars, with adult entrants in the competition including a four-person number 43 bus, and even a replica 1918 bi-plane commemorating 100 years of the RAF.
Organised by the Ernesettle Community Forum Fund, the Car-nival was packed with all the usual family fun—bouncy castles and children’s games, BBQ, tea tent, live music, stalls, a dog show, and of course cardboard cars on parade, as well as wacky races around the Green.
Fine weather brought crowds in their hundreds to Ernesettle Green, with local Councillors Pete Smith and Pam Buchan supporting the event, Pam later judging the best cars and handing out rosettes to the winners. A cake competition in St Aidan’s Church was judged by Father David Bailey, and won by Tina Murfin.
Information, craft, fundraising and tombola stalls lined the Green, including wood turning with Friends of Ham Woods, animal education with Dartmoor Zoo, and advice from the local Police liaison team, among many others.
Alongside the organising committee, volunteers drawn from all corners of the local community helped to make the day a success, setting up marquees, manning the tea tent, grilling burgers on the barbeque, and running the dog show.
Young people from SPACE Shot youth group helped throughout the day, and Solomon’s Porch Church leaders ran games and craft activities for children.
The event raised around £700 for the Ernesettle Community Forum Fund, money that will help to support activities and events in the local area over the coming year.
