Ballington: Starkholmes Carnival

A carnival queen meets the heavyweight champion - Jack Bodell joins in with the fun of a fete near Matlock Bath.

At the 1970 Starkholmes Carnival, held in the small Derbyshire village overlooking Matlock Bath, the guest of honour was the heavyweight boxer Jack Bodell. Bodell crowns the carnival queen and turns his brawn to the traditional tug-of-war event. This is followed by another carnival held nearby at Tansley where a miniature railway provides the main attraction.

Jack Bodell from Swadlincote in Derbyshire had been British heavyweight champion in 1969 before losing his title to Henry Cooper in March 1970.