Sixteen year-old Jenna Picton was selected as Burnham-On-Sea’s new Carnival Queen on Saturday evening (July 21st).
At a packed ceremony in Burnham’s Princess Theatre, the King Alfred School student was chosen by a panel of judges to lead this year’s carnival parade following a special selection event.
The judges – who included Burnham’s MP Tessa Munt, pictured above – also picked this year’s two Princesses, Rachael Nicol (9) and Lily Kilduff (9).
New Queen Jenna told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I am really thrilled and honoured to have been chosen as queen.”
During the evening, each of the 15 nominees was asked a series of questions to assess their personality by commentator Les Barber followed by further questions from the judges, MP Tessa Munt, Carnival President Malcolm Borland, Lucy Gunter from the Lucy Gunter School of Arts, and Lions President Greg Kelloway (pictured).
Burnham Lions Club, which organises the annual selection evening, said it had been pleased with the support shown for this year’s competition.
Mayor Ken Smout said: “This evening has been a real credit to Burnham and Highbridge. A great amount of effort has been put in by the organisers and those taking part, for which we are very grateful.”
Compere Les Barber told Burnham-On-Sea.com that the organisers had been pleased with the high standard of entries again this year.
“The girls answered the questions really well and it was a great evening all round,” he said.
He thanked the panel of judges plus the Lucy Gunter School of Arts, which performed a dance routine during the evening, plus the sponsors Holiday Resort Unity, Mister Fudge, Northam Farm, Vanda Flowers, Warren Farm, Lucy Gunter and the Small Business Accountancy Company.
The selection of the queen is the first event in the run-up to this year’s Highbridge and Burnham Carnival, which will be held on Monday November 12th.
The new Queen and two Princesses with the judges, Mayor and former Queen and Princesses at the end of Saturday’s ceremony
The participants lined up on the stage at The Princess for the announcement
Burnham Olympic torch bearer Jason Vickers with the three at the ceremony
RELATED LINKS:
Burnham-On-Sea Carnival 2012
