Heading the procession, with manes flying, and tails swishing, came two beautiful chestnut horses of the mounted police, the policemen in the saddles in complete control of their steeds, despite the noise and cheers of the crowd. These were followed by the Mayoral cars with the Mayors and Mayoresses of the local boroughs, their chains of office glittering in the weak sunshine. Next came the Carnival Queen and her two princesses, smiling and waving to the cheering crowds. "Put your coppers in the box for the carnival expenses" , pleaded the man with decimal coins sewn all over his black velvet suit. He rattled his box in the faces of the people, and what could they do but dig deep into their pockets and handbags. "Spare a copper". His voice was drowned as the local brass band drew nearer. Porn, Porn, Porn Porn. It was a long time since the band had played so well. Keeping proudly in step came the Morris dancers. Each group wore different coloured costumes, making a kaleidoscopic picture of red and orange, green
 

and blue. Big girls and little girls, their medals tinkling and faces smiling, walked smartly on their toes, keeping in time with the music. A varied assortment of Fancy Dress characters on foot came next. Steptoe & Son jostled next to the Lady at Ascot Races, whilst St. Francis of Assisi in his long brown robe, a bird perched on his shoulder, and a squirrel on his hand walked next to the Pearly King and the Mexican Lady. Anything they might have had to say to each other was drowned by the bugles and drums of the Boy Scouts' Band.

These were followed by the Fancy Dress characters on ponies. What an assortment! King Neptune on his "sea horse". An Indian Brave and his squaw. Robin Hood rode next to the Lone Ranger. Cameras clicked and people cheered as the ponies went past, some with tails and manes plaited and decorated. Next came the lorries, with windows sparkling and wheels gaily decorated. Whoever would believe that only yesterday that same lorry had been loaded with sacks of coal, spilling its black dust over everything, and yet it was now shining like a new pin. Proudly displaying a certificate to show that they had won first prize was the shoe and slipper works' contribution "The Forum", glittering with gold and white. A cheer went up from workmates standing by. Next came Robin Hood and his Merry Men, all dressed in green. A chance remark was overheard in the crowd - "they had no material to make those outfits, so one lady spent every night last week dyeing calico". She had certainly spent her time well. As lorry after lorry passed by, one wanted to call to them to go slower, as there was so much to see. The first of the Sunday School tableaux was "The Kingdom of Heaven" - all glittering in silver and blue, one angel playing a harp and another one a trumpet, whilst others stood peaceably by. One little girl asked: "Daddy, is it really like that in Heaven?" The Walls. of Jericho" on the next lorry were being proudly upheld by a number of 6 and 7 year olds, whilst the Rose Queen and her retinue sat in state on the following gaily decorated lorry. "Join the local swimming club". "Give a pint of blood to save a life", invited two more tableaux, doing a very good job of advertising their most worthy causes. The lorry displaying a three piece suite looked inviting, whilst the bedspreads and curtains on the next lorry showed just what was being made in one mill in the district. It made one feel proud to be part of a town that could produce shoes and slippers, cotton sheets and pillow cases, curtaining and dress materials. The carpenter had decorated his lorry with beautiful doors and windows, whilst the interior decorator had put his talent to good use by painting and decorating his lorry with a dozen different designs. Like a balloon being deflated, the crowd heaved a sigh as the last of the procession went by. What a pity it had to end - but everyone agreed that it was the best carnival procession they had ever seen in Bacup.