Ellesmere Port's annual carnival saw thirty beautiful new giant queens, entitled "Our Queen" in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II parade into the town centre in spectacular style on Sunday 31.
Residents and visitors came out in droves despite the dark cloud and drizzle of rain. They lined the route from Wellington Road to the Civic Hall to witness the first of its kind, the premier launch of thirty 12 feet tall giants in the likeness of "Our Queen" dressed in a cocktail of exclusively designed garments reflecting the cultural diversity of the British Commonwealth countries.
The day brightened when the sun came out and threw a spotlight on the unique fashion parade of thirty giant Queens led by the Mayor of Ellesmere Port, Councillor Lynn Clare and The City of Chester Brass Band through Ellesmere Port town centre in a joyous carnival of celebration, with entertainment by One Latin Culture, Batala Mersey and circus style family fun in the Civic Square.
Chester the Cat and staff from Dee 106.3 radio helped volunteers and staff from the Giant Manufacturing Company to manoeuvre the giants through the town centre. Actors dressed as nuns from the Ellesmere Port Musical Theatre Company production of Sister Act and volunteers from Cheshire Young Carers were also seen having great fun pulling along some of the giant Queens. The lead giant queen had a specially made mechanical hand that gave everyone the icon royal wave. There were also interests from independent film crews from local media companies and Granada TV captured the event for the evening news.
This year's carnival was bigger and better than before, included the giant "Our Queen" collection to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II overtaking Queen Victoria as the longest reigning monarch in British history on 9th September 2015.
The Giant Manufacturing Company Ltd which engineers and builds the massive show pieces, is based at the University of Chester's Thornton Science Park. The spectacular Giant Queen's heads are designed by artist Nick Elphick, a North-Wales based sculptor, who has worked with household names such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Damian Hirst and Ryan Gander.
Bringing the world of high fashion to the carnival is Designer in Residence, Matthew O'Brien. Chester's very own award-winning designer started his own clothing label aged just 15 and has created a collection of stunning individually designed garments for the Queens.
Matthew's innovative designs have made him a pioneer for a unique direction in fashion. Alongside his seasonal London Fashion Week collections, he has applied his individual design aesthetic to Giant Fashion.
Matthew O'Brien, fashion designer said: "Designing Giant Fashion has been a huge challenge. Designing on such a grand scale is a whole new direction for me. I'm probably the only designer to bring the catwalk to the streets on this scale and Ellesmere Port is a great place to launch Giant Fashion!"
John Iles, Chairman of The Giant Manufacturing Company Ltd said: "It's absolutely fabulous. The streets of Ellesmere Port packed and everyone waving their little flags. It was a terrific occasion and everyone I've spoken to has said it was fabulous. It really takes your breath away with these costumes. It's the first time we've actually displayed them. They've been sitting in a store room for the last 3 months - suddenly when you bring them all out in a big display of 30 giants, it really is spectacular and we're delighted.
"We are delighted to have the Giant Queen Elizabeth II figures at the Ellesmere Port Carnival and want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has come to honour "Our Queen" and helped to produce this majestic event in particular Essar Oil UK, The Port Arcades, Plus Dane Group and the Cheshire West and Chester Council, Our Place partnership."
Pauline Billing, from Big Bills Bikes said: We were involved last year and made a Bradley Wiggins costume giant and as it is the anniversary of the Queen, the Giant Manufacturing Company has actually made all the costumes, which are fabulous. So we were able to push one of them instead. The parade is also linked in with a competition, where you go round various shops and collect a stamp which gives you the chance to win £1000. We're trying to generate more interest in the area to help develop Whitby Road into a well-being high street, with fitness businesses and culture including a little theatre, so by doing this we're hopefully bringing awareness to that street."
The celebration continues throughout the week with a separate collection of four feet tall Elizabeth II pedestal heads in local businesses in Ellesmere Port town centre and the Port Arcade. The trail includes a "Spot the Queen" free £1000 Prize Draw where you can collect all the Queen Stamps from participating retailers who are displaying a pedestal or poster and enter the prize draw from 31 May until 5June. Each Giant Queen's head has also been designed by Nick Elphick and painted by renowned British artists, with a strong commonwealth theme.
Full details about the event can be found at www.thegiants.org.uk
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