Ipplepen intends to prove that the village still punches well above its weight with its carnival this week.

While many local carnivals have been cancelled or downsized in recent years, Ipplepen is determined to prove it is ‘still going strong’.

‘It’s amazing what you can do with such a small, dedicated team,’ said Barry who paints the award-winning Ipplepen float. Although unwilling to share details of this year’s theme, he teased that there ‘will be extras on this year’s float’.

Usually, the Ipplepen float would have already participated at other South Devon carnival processions. However, the closure of Wolborough Street in Newton Abbot prevented Ipplepen from being able to transport its float to last week’s Bovey Tracey carnival. Instead, the club sent its dancers to participate as a walking entry.

Ipplepen Carnival procession is at 6pm on Saturday (August 10). As well as the parade, there will be live music, a bouncy castle and a grand fireworks display at 9:45pm.

Throughout carnival week the village is hosting a range of events including a treasure hunt, quiz, UV disco and pig racing.

After the Ipplepen Carnival, the float will take part in the East Devon Carnival and Somerset carnival circuits including Bridgwater, North Petherton, Seaton and Axminster.

The number of carnivals in the South Devon Carnival Association has fallen from 10 in 2019 to six this year after Teignmouth Carnival announced it had cancelled this year’s event. Ashburton, Dawlish and Paignton have all downsized their carnival processions to walking only.