Local carnivals - was I dreaming?

www.thenorfolkbroads.org/Dwile%20Flonking.html

Thanks Ana I'm not too hot on this link thingy.

I have a scary photo of me on a mid-Kent float with my attendants - as the Heart of Kent. It's something I try to forget. It was a horrible experience, I didn't have any choice at the time, or thought I didn't, as I was picked by the Maidstone chamber of commerce without my knowledge. And expected to be delighted. It was very, very embarrassing, around 1980, and accompanied by lots of shouts of 'Show us yer tits Luv!'.

Oh dear janerowena. poor you. The ones I saw yesterday looked about 8 yrs old average and a few not happy.

I dont think it is health and safety to blame for the lack of carnivals and such, I think we have all just grown out of it. It is all a little bit tugging the forelock at the squire in my opinion, a bit Tess of the D-Urbevilles. We have a fete like most villages, it is a great day, and doesnt involve floats or princesses on floats, more a time for all the village clubs to show what they do, scouts, WI, bowls club, history society etc.

Thanks Ana What have I been missing?
Apparently the local Rose Queen, which used to be huge, was more of a damp squib with only three floats this time.

I must have been the death-knell to the carnival, which started to shrink alarmingly is subsequent years. however, it was replaced by a river festival, which was wonderful and ended with a huge fireworks display, reflected in the river by the Bishop's Palace. I just googled the carnival however, I couldn't find the date of the last year it took place - but this year it is to be revived! They are mad. Also, the river festival is to be every two years instead. All the participating boats used to travel down the river lit up with fairy lights, it was so pretty.

We have quite a few Carnivals in local Villages and many of the Sunday Schools have a Carnival Queen & Princess it gets the Community together I think and plenty of enjoyment for everyone.
Hollydaze The Moros y Cristiano's are spectacular aren't they the costumes are made by the members and very authentic,The best one I ever went to when living abroad was in Calliosa de en Sierra a small village inland from Altea they won the local area competition for the best display three years on the run,well worth making the effort to see if ever you are in the area.