Carnival 2005 - Nursery Rhymes
News - Focus, April 2005
We all know that when a rocket is launched the ground control counts backwards to blast-off and we are doing the same here. The count is at 3! We have only three months till THE DAY and it will be with us before we know it.
We must begin with a correction to the Carnival Queen details in the last Focus. It was said in error that the age range was 7 to 12. In fact the age of the contestants should be from 8 to 12. Anyone wishing to enter should get a form from Yvonne Ransom as soon as possible and return it to her with the details completed by Monday 4 April. Contestants must be at the Village Hall at 11.00 am on Sunday 10th of April for the selection.
It is easy to assume that the Carnival has been a feature of village life forever. However, while a fete, fair or even fayre was probably held in the villages going back into antiquity, its modern form is not so old as we may think. One of the pioneers of the Carnival as it is today is Mel Grundy and he has provided us with a personal insight into the history as he remembers it.
“Acorns to oak trees – my how they grow!
“The village carnival has grown from a church fete in the 1930’s, held in the Vicarage garden until the 1960’s. Then it moved to Park Farm, courtesy of Edwin and Celia French.
“With the extra land it became more adventurous, more stalls, and in the 1970’s with Edwin’s adjoining airfield – a flight over the village for £3.00. The caravan rally held at the same time became part of the day. One year we had a horse show – only once – the horses took a shine to the tea tent, not the sort of tea-cakes we had in mind!
“With the opening of the new recreation ground in School Lane in 1989, it was decided to move to this more central location. Being one church but two villages, it was suggested we alternate with Edlesborough Green. This was such a success in 1990 it stayed put and has grown into the Villages Carnival we all know today, including the procession from one village to the other which is a joy for the children as well as ‘Gordon’!
“It now contributes to many charities and organisations in the area as well as being THE DAY of the summer.
“Do help it to continue by giving your support, and if anyone out there would like to be involved to ensure its future, please contact the Carnival committee.”
Mel’s encouragement to action is a message that the committee must reinforce. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS. No association with St Mary’s is needed. This event, though sponsored by the church, belongs to the whole village and anyone wishing to participate will most definitely be welcomed.
At the time of writing we particularly need a Team Leader to organise the BBQ, but if you would like to help in any way just contact our Chairman, Peter Bennett.
The Carnival is coming faster than you think. Please help!
To contact someone about any aspect of the carnival, please visit our website: www.stmarysvillagecarnival.com
© Focus Magazine 2005
