PHOTOS of Hereford’s carnival in the 80s and 90s show a flashback to clowns, dancers, plays, parades, and spectators.

The carnival had been described as “the biggest carnival for years” in previous articles written by Hereford Times reporters in 1980.

A search for the carnival queen was a priority in 1980, with the winner set to lead a procession through the streets of Hereford.

A panel of mystery judges were appointed by the organiser to select candidates for the competition final in the Town Hall.

The judges would tour the local streets, shops, bars, and entertainment centres and choose girls they felt deserved the chance to compete for the title.

John Pulling, who was the city council entertainments councillor, previously said: “We want to give the judges at the final the widest possible choice.”

“So, we hit on this idea of having a mobile panel who will approach people to take part who might not enter in the normal way.

“Hereford is full of pretty girls, and we want them to enter out competition.”

Herecon Construction sponsored the competition, and the winner received a cheque for £75, with £25 for the runner-up.

In 1986 Hereford Amateur Pantomime Society scooped the main award in the carnival parade this year.

Its float, which showed scenes from some of folklore’s greatest pantomimes such as Sleeping Beauty, won both the Hereford Chamber of Commerce Cup and the award for the highest points in all sections.

Felicity Burge, secretary of chamber, organised the carnival parade each year.

Shoppers, residents, and tourists would line the route to watch the parade go from the technical college through High Town and onto the King George playing fields where the floats were judged.

In 1994 three groups of floats came under the scrutiny of judges Bobbie Heavens, chairman of Hereford Chamber of Commerce, Giles Bulmer, and Councillor Allan Williams.

Leading the pack were the West District Brownies, who took the overall winners’ cup.

Behind them in the voluntary section were the first Holmer Beaver Scouts, with the Foundation for the Women’s Health, Research and Development in third place.

St John’s Methodist drama group took first prize in the pubs and clubs ahead of the Bay Horse Hotel, Bromyard, and Hereford Junior Bulls.

Many of the winners gave their prize money to charity.

The carnival music was supplied by Hereford Youth Marching Band and Red Crystal Majorettes.

Our archived newspapers indicate that Hereford Carnival stopped running in the late 1990's.