Tag Archives: Carnival

Carnivals after WWII 1940s

Peace Celebrations were held in 1946, with harbour sports.

Carnival sports, 1946 programme

1948 seems to have been the first full carnival after the end of WWII and demob.

Yarmouth Common Carnival time. Fancy Hat Competition led by Ted Lawry

Billy Doe crowns Carnival Queen : photo Sue Russell

Raich Doe front left, Bob Cook, and contributors Serena Hunt, Susan Hayles in Brownie uniform, Effie Pitman behind Sue, Derek Pomroy with cub Peter Stallard

In 1949 a Carnival Queen was chosen by votes at the ‘Con Club’ from a bevy of local beauties .

Carnival line-up 1949, at ‘Con Club’ to choose Carnival Queen : photo Pat Burt

From left: Jean Levey, Ella Jackman, Pam Henderson (chosen to be Queen), Mrs Eames, Barbara Holloway, Annette Holloway, Pat Adams, (chosen as attendant) Jessie Attrill, with Newt Kelsey judging or looking on.

Pam Henderson is crowned carnival Queen in 1949, at first carnival after WWII

Pam Henderson is crowned carnival Queen in 1949, at first full carnival after WWII

At the crowning ceremony are: from left, Robert May, Heather Harris (married Raich Doe), Pat Adams (married Mick Burt), Pam Henderson, Carnival Queen, Miss New Zealand, and Mr J. Flanders who officiated.

The boy peeping between is John Orchard, staying with his Uncle who had a taxi.

Miss New Zealand was persuaded by Mrs Hans Hamilton to put in an appearance, and seemed to enjoy the parade.

Yarmouth Carnival 1949 Miss New Zealand joins the parade

Eileen Smith: Carnivals 1930s,1940s,

During Carnival Week there were harbour sports, greasy pole and swimming races off the Common. All the families joined in and won prizes too. Yarmouth was a town of families, now it’s a town of holiday homes. Eileen Smith nee Lansdowne b 1921

Carnival: Guess who ? at Harbour Light

Thorley families: Carnival 2012

Thorley families wond the cup for the best float with their Farming entry 2012

Thorley families won the cup for the best float with their Farming entry 2012

Thorley families won the cup for the best float with their Farming entry 2012.
Continuing the tradition of families working together to enter Yarmouth carnival, Cowleys, Chesworths and friends decorated their float with their own artwork and won the cup.

Effie Pitman: Yarmouth Carnival Brownie Floats

Yarmouth Carnival Brownie Float ‘ Christmas Crackers’:1950

The Brownie Floats

I did enjoy the carnivals. Every year we had to think of something different. ‘ Christmas Crackers’ was an early one. We did ‘Pansy Faces’ another year, and a ‘Flower Garden’; we made the base look like a basket. We’d collect everything together, all the bits and pieces, and make the costumes all ourselves. We didn’t tell the parents what our float was going to be, so it was always a surprise. Effie Pitman b 1921 Brown Owl for 40 years

Yarmouth Carnival Brownie Float 1965 after the visit of Qheen Elizabeth II

Effie Pitman, Bown Owl, stands on float waiting to join parade from Green. 1985 was the year before she retired as Brown Owl.

Eileen Smith: Yarmouth Carnival 1930s – 70s

The Yarmouth Carnivals were a highlight of the year, always held on a Thursday, early closing day. There were maybe 4 bands, proper bands. They were wonderful .

Jazz band 1930s with Curly Jupe on accordion and Megan Cook vocals

The fishing competition on the Pier used to draw over a hundred rods. My Grandfather, Robert May, supplied the Rod for first prize.My aunt was asked if she’d like to keep up the tradition after he died, but she said no, it was the end of an era, and Harwood’s took over giving the prize.

Robert May awards Carnival Fishing prize of rod

Robert May awards prize rod for Carnival Fishing competition off Pier

Robert May awards the prize rod for the fishing competition on the pier

Yarmouth and Thorley Voices

Learn about the history of Yarmouth and Thorley from the people who have lived it