Carnival 2004 - Fantasy
News - Focus, May 2004
Key Events and Interest
The 3rd of July is getting closer and the preparation for the Carnival is moving quite rapidly now. Stalls are being signed up in large numbers but there is still room for more. If you are not familiar with the event, St Mary's Village Carnival, on Edlesborough Green, has become one of the largest carnivals in the area, which means that there is much more to see and do. We have many exhibits of special interest, some of which are detailed below. So come along, and bring your friends and family. Come in costume too if you wish - remember that the theme this year, Fantasy, opens up a lot of possibilities. As well as having fun, you will be supporting a number of local charities and good causes, and particularly this year, the featured good cause is the renovation of Eaton Bray Village Hall. Not only is there still room for more charity and craft stall, there is always a need for more help on the church stalls. If you have not yet volunteered please do so soon. Contact the Chairman, do is complete and return an entry form by the 19th of April. These forms can be had by contacting Yvonne Peter Better through the 'Contact Us' option on our website, if you are in any doubt whom to contact. To get you agog with anticipation, here are some of our special interests this year:
Sandra Barker, Basketmaker
Sandra Barker is returning to the Carnival for the third year. She is a working village Basketmaker and Chairseater - one of only seven Yeomen members of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers and, as a result of her trade, is also a Freeman of the City of London. Sandra trained in Cambridge, London and in Europe and her work has taken her around the world. In the UK she works for numerous different societies and groups running workshops, giving talks and demonstrations for societies and organisations which have included English Heritage, the National Trust, the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers and the Basketmakers Association.
Dan Cordell, Wood Sculptor
Dan is a local artist, working primarily in wood and rock, who trained at the University of Hertfordshire as well as at Loughborough University and Virginia Commonwealth University in the USA. Following his studies in the USA, Dan worked as a stone carver producing commissioned sculpture in limestone and sandstone. In 2002 he was invited to carve at ‘Sculptree 2002’ and is currently focussing his efforts upon working with wood. According to his biography he likes to use a variety of whole timber as well as involving other materials and found objects, loving the physical process of direct carving, extracting something from what most see as nothing.
Birds of Bray
Birds of Bray are, as the name suggests, a local falconry team who have been active for 15 years. Originally starting with a Lanner Falcon, the collection has since grown to include Owls, Hawks and Falcons – most of which will be on display on Carnival day. All the birds you will see on display are captive bred birds and have not been taken from the wild – a practice which is now against the law. Birds of Bray are often asked why the birds sit so quietly on their perches and there are two reasons for this; firstly the birds are manned (trained) so that they have no fear of humans and secondly, because they are given a little extra food on the day prior to an appearance which makes them less inclined to take exercise! (This is where the expression ‘Fed Up’ comes from!). To learn more about the birds please come to the stand and don’t be afraid to ask questions – bring your cameras too, the birds are used to being photographed.
© Focus Magazine 2004
