Being in the carnival
My family has a long tradition of entering Kenilworth Carnival and as I grew up I was part of the procession myself. Groups who entered the Carnival (as I was growing up) included:
· Local Businesses; Pubs; Shops
· Schools; Brownies; Girl Guides; Cubs; Scouts
· Streets; Families; Friends
· Theatre Groups etc
Before I was born my family were on floats within street groupings, or in pairs walking in fancy dress. During my early years I was in the Carnival with my cousin and then the following year I was with the Brownies.
In 1988 I joined in with my family as part of ‘the Harris family’ group and we were usually on a float. The Harris family ‘disbanded’ in approx. 1997 and after that a few of the members (my mum and aunties) continued to enter as fancy dress walkers, but I didn’t re-enter again until 2009 – although I made sure I still watched each year to offer support.
Over the years the Carnival has decreased in size and other blows have come to knock the day,
· An increase in health & safety legislation - thus making it more difficult to enter into the carnival
· Rumours that the fair will not be coming to the Abbey Fields anymore
· And even more worryingly rumours that the lorry sponsorship may end (for the actual floats) or that there may be a fee
· The Godiva Festival being on at the same time as our Carnival in recent years
· A changed time for this years Carnival, and less marketing for the Carnival in the past few years.
Many local carnivals have ceased, I would hate for Kenilworth’s to go the same way. It is a shame that the audience attending the day has decreased and more worryingly the procession has decreased in size too. Less people are putting floats together with their neighbours, families, friends and other groups that they belong to, meaning that there are less floats as well as fewer fancy dress walkers.
To be part of the day is great fun! And it is easy to get involved. Kenilworth’s annual Carnival takes place on the first Saturday of July each year (this year’s Carnival is Saturday 2nd July). Anyone can take part in the Carnival either by entering a float or by walking the route in fancy dress. Any mode of transport can be entered for the procession. There are several classes, each is judged. A prize is awarded for the best entry in each class. For further details use the link for the ‘Kenilworth Carnival Committee’ or contact Anne on 07737518386 or email annebrough@ntlworld.com Also, there is the opportunity to have a stall on the Abbey Fields to sell stuff, for more details and to make a booking in order to be involved, email lizmea@ntlworld.com
The first stirrings of The Chinewrde Carnival Collective
In 2009 my mum was recuperating after a heart bypass but did not want to miss out on being in the Carnival. It would have been uncomfortable for her to be pushed around in a wheelchair; so I decided to get a few family members and a couple of friends together on a float for old times sake. This would keep mum in the Carnival and also help keep the Carnival tradition going. That year we quickly came up with the theme of an old fashioned 1930’s Travelling Carnivale troupe and we won first prize in our class – Hooray!! After a fantastic time making the props and costumes; installing the lorry (float) on the day; getting posters done and various other exciting Carnival related necessities we realised how much we missed it. So we came back together in 2010, with a name – The Chinewrde Carnival Collective and a manifesto!
The Carnival is an important part of Kenilworth and its heritage; it needs to continue into the future. The Carnival is important to my mum, and other members of my family; it is important to my friends and to me. Kenilworth Carnival raises money for charity and it is a legacy which has been in place for a very long time.
Kenilworth Carnival needs entrants in the procession, but it also needs an audience. So please get your creative hat’s on and enter into the Carnival, and if that’s not for you just come along and enjoy the day!
