Cambridge Regional College Shines at Arbury Carnival 2025 with Creative and Community Spirit

Cambridge Regional College (CRC) was proud to support this year’s Arbury Carnival, held on Saturday, 14th June 2025. With over 5000 attendees and spectators, the event was a vibrant celebration of community, creativity, and collaboration.

In the lead-up to the carnival, CRC students were actively involved in preparations. Art, Media and Supported Learning students participated in a poster competition alongside students from North Cambridge Academy and Chesterton Community College. The college was honoured to host the official poster exhibition, where one of CRC’s own students had their design selected as the official 2025 carnival poster. For this event catering students made a selection of European breads and cakes and music students playing and singing at the event.

Behind the scenes, CRC’s Carpentry students crafted a variety of props for the procession, including a custom sign for Slimming World and a carnival-themed football target. The target was then beautifully painted by our talented Art students.

On the big day, CRC and Stagecoach made a memorable entrance at the tail end of the procession with an open-top double-decker bus — powered by our very own ‘CRC elephants’ and driven by Jay who has supported the carnival for over 20 years. Staff and students joined in the fun, donning stunning butterfly wings that our students in our Alternative provision had made, that added colour and flair. Everyone’s efforts were recognised with a 2nd place award in the procession competition.

At the carnival site, CRC’s stand was a hub of activity. Visitors could plant their own wildflower pots with the college’s Green Team, browse and purchase handmade gifts from our Futures students — including T-shirts, scrunchies, pencil cases, and DIY keyring kits — and test their aim at the hugely popular Football Target Practice, hosted by our Sports department and Cambridge United Football Scholars.

Our Deputy Principal, Corrin Hoyes and Vice Principal, Laura Kerry, were a family favourite as ‘CRC elephants’ from ‘pulling’ the Stagecoach bus, to sampling the fairground rides they brought laughter and smiles to all.

Entertainment was also on the agenda, with CRC music students Robin & Gray taking to the main stage as part of the arena’s live music line-up, showcasing the incredible talent at the college.

All captured and showcased by our Core Radio Media students and staff who were roving reporters on the day, check in our social media feeds.

Commenting on the day, Jeremy Lloyd, Assistant Principal, CRC, said “The community spirit has been exceptional and so much fun to be part of in the run up to and at the event.

“Huge thanks go to Stagecoach for joining us on the parade with one of their brilliant open-top double-decker buses.

“Community and collaboration is a big part of our college values and this is a great example of the benefits that working together brings for the community, students and staff. It was an honour to see how much impact our students and staff have on our local community and great to meet with all of our partners and residents who were at the carnival.”

“We’re incredibly proud of our students and staff for their creativity, energy, and commitment to the Arbury Carnival,” said John Guiney, Assistant Principal at Cambridge Regional College. “This event is a true celebration of community, and we’re delighted to have been able to support the organising committee put on this fantastic celebration.”