Sponsored Dance: Sat 7 July 2012

To coincide with Kenilworth Carnival this year, and as part of our theme we are proposing to do a sponsored dance in aid of Kenilworth Carnival Relief.

We understand that there are some financial concerns surrounding this year’s carnival, so we are trying to raise funds to help with costs.

There are 9 of us on the float taking part in the sponsored dance, the other 4 members of the Chinewrde Carnival Collective will be offering us support, criticism and making sure we are ok for the duration of this challenge. We will ‘dance’ for the entire procession (apart from the official breaks, and the gaps in between our music obviously!).

We have some sponsor forms and are happy to take donations in the run up to the big day. All the money raised will be given to the Kenilworth Carnival Committee towards the carnival costs.

If however, you do not know any of the collective or indeed do not get the chance to sponsor us before hand, please come along to the Carnival on the day and ‘throw’ your sponsorship money onto the float!

Chinewrde Carnival Collective Profiles: Sarah

Travelling Carnivale, 2009

Growing up in Kenilworth the 1^st Saturday in July meant one thing, peering out of my parent’s bedroom window trying to see what my best friend (Louise) and her family were doing that year in the Carnival. The lorry would arrive and a hive of activity would start from early morning and each year I would crane my neck to see out of the window what fantastic creation would slowly come to life.

Imagine my happiness when I was invited to join the Ugly Bug Ball (The Garden Party), instead of just watching I got to be part of the Carnival. Who knew being a spider could be so much fun!

When Louise decided a few years ago to start entering the Carnival again I didn’t hesitate to join in. That same feeling I had as a child came flooding back, entering the Carnival is like being a child again. You get to be someone else for the day, have fun and be silly all for charity.

Though I was a little unsure at first about being the Bearded Lady in the Travelling Carnivale, I soon forgot any misgivings as the procession started and the crowds cheered. My inner actress came flowing out and I enjoyed every second of it. The following year the Chinewrde carnival Collective was officially born and I am proud to be a member. How else could I ever be a Zombie Queen, a Trumpet Player in a Marching Band and the...

...sorry 2012 is still a secret!

Chinewrde Carnival Collective Profiles: Craig

The Travelling Carnivale, circa 1932. 2009

As a child growing up in small town Southam, the annual local Carnival was a big deal. My sister Rebecca and I would attend each year as spectators and would look on the floats congregated in Pendicke Street. Accompanied by our neighbour Mrs Morgan, we sat on the grassy banks from where we would eagerly throw pennies and tuppences to the passing procession. We would pick dropped coins off the road before throwing some more.

The Carnival atmosphere remains a vivid memory from my early childhood years, and I remember clearly the excitement and expectation on Carnival day. We’d always catch the procession a second time on its route to the recreation ground before heading on to play on the fairground rides and throw darts at goldfish.

In 1990, I entered a schools competition to design the front cover for the annual Southam Town Carnival brochure. I was 12 years old at the time. Inspired by the theme of music, my design featured a whole host of musical instruments which spouted notes and details of that year’s event. I was delighted when my design was announced as the winner and that feeling has never left me. In fact, I credit the experience as one of the formative moments of my growing up, and a building block for my chosen career working in the arts.

The Southam Town Carnival still happens today, although it is a shadow of what it once was, with fewer floats and fewer crowds.

Having moved to Kenilworth, my then girlfriend Louise (now my wife) invited me to join in with the Kenilworth carnival. After years without involvement she was keen to enter a float again, in part to support her Mum Carole’s return to good health following a heart bypass, and partly to satisfy her own urge to have another go! This was 2009 and I was familiar already with Kenilworth Carnival having spectated alongside Louise and her Nan for each of the preceding few years. But I’d never participated. I duly took up the role of Thomasina in the Travelling Carnivale, and sported half a beard among other things as the resident but indecisive transvestite (see picture). Cross dressing has become a bit of a recurring motif ever since and I’m rarely shy to don a dress in aid of a good cause and to share a wonderful day with my family and friends. In 2010 my youngest sister Abigail joined the collective, followed by my Mum in 2011. So the carnival has become a truly family affair! It’s a wonderfully special occasion and I’m very happy to be involved through the Chinewrde Carnival Collective.

Chinewrde Carnival Collective Profiles: Elicia

Chinewrde Marching Band, 2011 

I used to watch the Carnival with my family, and then enjoy going down the fair afterwards. Then in 2009, I got to watch my Uncle (Dean) on the Travelling Carnivale float, he was a lion tamer and it was so funny!

I joined the Chinewrde Carnival Collective in 2010, for the Zombie Carnival Queens float. I wore a scary phantom mask, which freaked everybody out. This was the first time I had been involved in the Kenilworth carnival.

Last year I got to choose my own character, including her story – this was so much fun!

I was expert baton twirling Chinewrde Marching Band member, Shirley knnott. My baton managed to survive the course, and the crowd seemed enthralled by my twirling antics and so was I! (Sometimes I even forgot to catch the baton – but then that was the point).

The Carnival is great fun, and I still get to go to the fair afterwards.

This year will be my third outing with the Chinewrde Carnival Collective and once again I aim to impress. I get to be very popular character this year and wear a beautiful dress too!

Chinewrde Carnival Collective Profiles: Dennis

As Brutus, the world's strongest man!

I spent my childhood watching Kenilworth Carnival, and during the late 1950’s I was fortunate to be involved in the Dudley Road floats. We took our own children to watch the Carnival, and off to the fair afterwards, one way or another I supported this long held Kenilworth tradition.

For a few years, not so long ago, I supported my partner Carole each year that she was in Kenilworth Carnival – it was my job to be in the crowd with refreshments at a strategic point.

Later on, before her bypass I would also walk alongside her to ensure she made it around the procession safely.

But In 2009, it was proving difficult to keep Carole out of the Carnival, so her daughter organised a lorry, (the Travelling Carnivale) and I was happy to be part of it. I chose my own character, found my costume, grew a very stylish moustache, made some weights and became Brutus the world’s strongest man! It was a lot of fun.

In 2010 my son and I joined the cottage Inn Carnival float Charile and the Chocolate Factory, I enjoyed spending the Carnival with him that year.

I joined the Chinewrde Carnival Collective in 2011 as part of the Chinewrde marching band. I had the very important job of pushing Carole around (the procession in a wheel chair).

I already have my costume for this year’s theme, and I think people might be surprised at my choice of character! I am looking forward to having a good laugh this year - as always.

Chinewrde Carnival Collective Profiles: Abigail

With my brother on the Zombie Carnival Queens Lorry, 2010

As a child, I used to go along with my family to watch Southam Carnival, and in fact, I was in Southam Carnival a few times too (with the Brownies).

Having studied art and design, theatrical media, make-up and costume I am naturally interested in the theatrics of the Carnival, and have used my talents to support my brother by creating his costume and doing his make-up in 2008 (‘The Travelling Carnivale, Circa 1932). In that year, I also helped with other people’s make-up and took documentation photographs while watching the procession.

In 2010, I was asked if I would like to be an extra Zombie Queen as they were short on numbers. I said yes and joined the Chinewrde Carnival Collective. So, in that year, not only did I create my costume, my brother’s costume, help with make-up and the lorry but I was also able to be in the Carnival itself – it was a lot of fun!

Last year, we were the Chinewrde marching Band, and I played my flute as Tina the young flute player of the band! I enjoy being in the Carnival, but I really enjoy finding the costumes, making or modifying costumes, and bringing all of the ideas together.

So looking forward to Saturday 7^th July!

Chinewrde Carnival Collective Profiles: Veronica

The Chinewrde Marching Band, 2011

Having watched a fair few carnivals in Warwickshire over the years, I have supported this long held tradition. When I was young, I used to watch the Leamington Carnival and the Kenilworth Carnival – which was my Dad’s favourite. When the family moved to Southam, I took my children to see the local carnival and they participated a few times too over the years.

In 2009 my son and his girlfriend were in Kenilworth Carnival as The Travelling Carnivale, circa 1932, and I supported them by throwing coins and cheering them on from the crowd. The following year, they had formed the Chinewrde Carnival Collective and my daughter had joined them too. As the Zombie Carnival Queens, I again cheered them on and supported from the crowd.

I was asked if I would like to be in part of the Chinewrde Marching Band in 2011, and I am happy to say that I agreed. So that year I formally joined the Chinewrde Carnival Collective, went to the meetings and rehearsals and became Freda the Flagbearer! With an improvised flag I bore the badge of the Chinewrde Marching Band at the end of a broom - and the streets of Kenilworth never sounded so clean!

Currently I am searching for my costume for this year, and we are rehearsing like mad with only four weeks to go! I really enjoy the meetings, and the social aspect of spending time with family and friends, but mostly I enjoy supporting my family and having fun on the day.

Chinewrde Carnival Collective Profiles: Sara

Sara, The Blue Danube, 1995

20 years ago, having just met my new family via my partner, I wandered down to Redfern Avenue where an excited posse of people were dressing a huge lorry, having make up applied and laughing hysterically each time someone stepped out in their costume. It was my baptism into the Harris fraternity. The float was Glenn Miller 1992! What a strange and wonderful world.

Somehow, and I can't ever remember saying yes but, 3 years later I had grown moustache, got myself into a dress coat and was learning to waltz for The Blue Danube 1995.

I suppose now is the time to admit that I really enjoyed myself but don't tell anyone. As well as the procession I enjoyed going to the fair afterwards still in costume much!

In 2010 I was recruited into the newly formed Chinewrde Carnival Collective and debuted as a zombie page boy, not quite as refined as an 18th century aristocrat dancing to Viennese waltzes. The Zombie Carnival Queens.

The fun bit is the skills we have to learn, and with dancing the waltz under my belt, I now had to learn how to play the snare drum for the Chinewrde Marching Band in 2011. Apart from winning, the most memorable feat was actually walking the carnival that year instead of slumming on a lorry.

But my most vital role is cooking and supplying 20 bacon rolls to the collective, really early on the morning of the carnival as the team dress the lorry and then themselves. I love it, thank you for letting me be part of the family.

Chinewrde Carnival Collective Profiles: Jac

Zombie Carnival Queens, 2010 (Jac's the one sat on the chair!)

For me, it all started in the late 1960’s…

I wanted to be like my cousin Phil, dress up in trousers and be black! I was about 6 or 7 years old at the time. Instead, my debut appearance was as a little white girl in a black skirt (The Black and White Minstrals, Harris Family circa 1968-70).

From childhood, Carnival Day was always something to look forward to and get excited about, being with the all family at once. It was a tradition that started a few decades earlier with my grandparents, or was it? We had a Great-aunt who also lived in Arthur Street. Must ask mum about it, I’m sure she remembers every year. Although sadly now retired from the carnival, in her illustrious career she played Glenn Miller (1992) and Rambo (1988) amongst many others.

Having the memory of a fish, I remember playing Freddie Kreguer in a suffocating latex mask on a blazing day sometime in my early 20’s (Video Boom, Harris Family. 1988). And what I thought was going to be my last appearance as an androgynous lead-violinist (Classical Strings, Harris Family. Circa 1990). I came back in the mid-1990s dancing in the eighteenth century, for the Harris Family's last carnival together (Blue Danube, Harris Family. Circa 1995).  

In between times I really preferred and enjoyed being more active behind the scenes, prop design and make up.

As for cross-dressing I’m bi.

After a long absence, in 2010 I played a woman, Miss 1940 (The Zombie Carnival Queens, Chinewrde Carnival Collective). Last year I played a man, Blind Smokin Toots, the Tenor Sax in The Kenilworth Marching Band. My sister Stixx Malone said I looked like our dad, I reminded myself of my older cousin Steve. Interesting thing is, my dad and cousin don’t look remotely like each other.

This year I’m playing a sporty princess from the 1970’s, groovy baby, yeah.

I love group creativity, I love acting, I love disguise and I love my cousin Lou, for reviving an old and nearly forgotten family tradition.