The Royal British Legion Band and Corps of Drums from Romford "valiantly led the procession for three miles in searing heat" on what was believed to be the hottest carnival day on record.
The floats and walking groups left Mentmore Road at 11.30am and made their way through the town, arriving at Parson's Close Reacreation Ground at 1pm – having had two rest-stops instead of the usual one.
The band were followed by the five walking groups: the ambassadors float featuring the young carnival ambassadors Esme, Lily, Vivien and the competitive floats, as well as the Buzzer Bus – carrying the judges – and the First Aid ambulance and a recovery vehicle.
Chairman of Leighton-Linslade Carnival Committee, Mark Freeman, said: "Carnival 2026 gave us a day that will not be forgotten for a long time. Huge thanks and credit to all those who took part in whatever way – it was one of the toughest carnival days I can remember – and I have been involved in the best part of 30 now.
"The heat drained energy and I really don’t know how the band and walking groups in the procession managed three miles without a single casualty.
"The standard of procession entries was phenomenal, and I am glad I didn’t have to judge them. They all deserved to win and I don’t ever remember the scores for the entries being so close together."
The five judges – town mayor Cllr Kevin Pughe, Rotary president Henry Garthwaite, Baroness Leaman, Sally Kerr (former carnival princess and businessman Tom Shattock (TK Furniture) – had the task of scoring the procession entries, which was very difficult.
In all three sections the difference between the winner and runner up was only one point.
The results were as follows:
Schools and children’s section: 1st Gilbert Inglefield Academy; 2nd Clipstone Brook School Association; 3rd Brooklands School Eco Club (in association with Totally Leighton Buzzard)
Open section: 1st Reclaim Life; 2nd Mixed Ability Rugby at Leighton Buzzard Rugby Club; 3rd Rotary Club of Leighton Buzzard
Walking section: 1st Spectrum Community Arts; 2nd Friends of Bev Power; 3rd (equal) Leighton Buzzard Ramblers; Dogs for Good; Infinite All Stars Cheerleading
Peter Lymbery Shield for entry with overall highest points: Gilbert Inglefield Academy
Doreen Rolls Shield for entry with most points for enthusiasm: Clipstone Brook School Association
Anne Guess Shield for outstanding contribution to Carnival: S&J Pierce.
Thrilled with the number of people involved this year, Mark added: "Despite the loss of three floats before the day, and two no shows on the day, there were nearly twice as many entries this year over last year – an increase in all three sections."
The arena was hosted by Bedfordshire Hospitals Radio and had a full programme of displays by Harlequin Gymnastics, Greenleas Lower School, Linslade Warriers Karate Club, Imagination Majorettes, Spectrum Community Arts and a finale by The Royal British Legion Band and Corps of Drums, Romford.
Meanwhile, the bandstand featured local group Onyx and the Leighton Buzzard Rock & Roll Club.
Visitors had a wide choice of stalls to visit, a bar, food vendors, and of course children’s rides and fairground. There was also an opportunity for children to have rides in the hand-built sedan chairs organised and run by The Rotary Club of Leighton Buzzard.
Mark concluded: “My thanks go to all the participants in the procession, performing or running stalls.
"Also, thanks must go to all the volunteer team members who spent the day ensuring the event ran according to plan, to S&J Pierce for providing the trailers again, to Leighton-Linslade Town Council to the judges, to Cedars Upper School and Spirit and Truth Church for providing changing facilities for the
band and all those who supported us financially or in kind.
"Lastly, I want to thank those people who braved the heatwave to come along and enjoy the event we organised for them and look forward to seeing the with their friends on July 10 next year for carnival 2027.”
The carnival is organised and run by Leighton-Linslade Carnival Committee of volunteers. The committee is separate and independent to the town council, which supports the event.
Click here to find out more about the carnival and how to get involved next year.
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Brooklands School Eco Club (in association with Totally Leighton Buzzard) Photo: Leighton-Linslade Carnival Committee
