Falmouth Carnival

Falmouth Carnival has seen many ups and downs over the years but never so much as the past 5 years. The earliest records found to date to show how long the Carnival has been in existance is two cups presented in 1934 and 1935 (see below). Past history and archives are scarce. If anyone has any history or photo’s we would be pleased to hear from them and include details here.

Carnival 2007 Aug 11. Led by the Falmouth Marine Band in their new uniform for 2007

Miss Piggy goes shopping

Great White sighted in Falmouth ??

The Pink Panthers from Choaks Pasties complete with Charlie’s plastic bum !!

Carnival 2006. Aug 5th. Following last years cancellation Falmouth’s famous Marine Band stepped in to organise this years Carnival and had appealed to the people of Falmouth to support them and keep the Carnival alive. It was different from previous years being a walking carnival without vehicles,no judging and no prizes.

It was accepted as being one of the best yet.

Led by the Marine Band, about 200 people joined in comprising of individuals and about 20 groups including the Merlot Maids (mermaids), The birds of Fairtrade, Falmouth Youth Club, Choaks Bakery as Ducks, Jackie Phillips Flowers flower girls, flower pot men and a Weed, the Pleasure Pirates, Falmouth Cricket Club, 6th Falmouth Cubs, Falmouth Scouts, RNLI, Falmouth Rugby Club, Nancy’s Iinverted Harlequins, President Bush leading his “poodle” Tony Blair, Pirates International, Oddfellows Pub as Seagulls, Kermit the GReen Haired Klown, Falmouth Gig Club, Last of the Summer Wine, Falmouth Art Gallery, The Falmouth Wheelers Cycling Club as Vikings, K&S Broad Beamed Cruisers plus assorted clowns cowboys and a horse.

A collection taken on route raised about £800 for charity.

A spokesman for the Band said the response from the people of Falmouth was nothing short of brilliant

Photo,s below

The Falmouth Marine Band in their new Uniform.

Choaks Bakery Ducks - Fed on the best Pasties in Falmouth !!!!

Above left Flower Pot men from Jackie Phillips Flowers and above right Jackie and one of her flowwer girls

                Above the Wheelers

 Above Jackies Weed                                      Above the Seagulls

2005 Cancelled

The Lions Club of Falmouth and Penryn who had organised the carnival for the last 14 years cancelled the event due to excessive insurance costs and red tape. It was then subsequently “rescued” by the Port of Falmouth Sailing Association, Kernow Events and Hayes Parsons Insurance. Falmouth Town Councillors also agreed to Underwrite the event financially but both of these attempts failed and the carnival was cancelled at the eleventh hour because of organisational problems.

2004

Organised by the Lions Club of Falmouth and Penryn and supported by the Falmouth Marine Band dressed in their new uniforms as the Pirates of the Carrick Region.

More than 200 people took part with 50 entries

Westfield Transport supplied the lorries

2003

Organised by the Lions Club of Falmouth and Penryn and supported by the Falmouth Marine Band dressed in their new uniform of Beefeaters.

Westfields Transport and WS Roofing supplied the transport

The carnival was declared a huge success and raised nearly £2,000 for local charities

2002. No details

2001

Organised by the Lions Club of Falmouth and supported by the Falmouth Marine Band who led the procession dressed in their new uniforms of Cossacks. It was reported that the number of entries had suffered over recent years following the clamp down of floats due to the high insurance costs but had increased this year

2000. No details

1990. No details

1989.Falmouth Marine Band is launched to support the Falmouth Carnival

Formed in 1989, by Dave Spargo and Colin Bennett (proprietors of SKB Sails) who recruited 30 local chaps from the marine sector (sailmakers, sailing enthusiasts, marine engineers, dockyard workers, etc etc), and dressed them in home-made kilts (christened the Cornish drinking tartan!), taught by the local Fire Brigade in secret to march in step, they launched themselves on Falmouth Carnival in 1989. This provided a much needed boost to a flagging carnival. However, the ‘fun’ element and unique feature of the band is that no-one in the band has any musical ability whatsoever. The guys simply crash away on upturned oil drums, with the ‘beat’ controlled by the Drum Major and the bass drummer.

 The lads entertain by ‘marching’, creating a cacophony of noise that announces their arrival usually hundreds of yards before they appear! We collect money to support local good causes and charities, supported by the band partners, who also dress in complementary uniforms and carry the collection buckets

 The band has a new uniform every year, kept secret and launched at Falmouth Carnival. Hence given our roots and affinity with the carnival, our desire to see the event maintained for the enjoyment and entertainment of the good people of Falmouth/Penryn.

The oldest referances to Falmouth Carnival found to date

1934 & 1935

2 Cups with the following inscriptions

Left.Falmouth Hospital Carnival 1935 Won by A.G.Carne

Right Presented to A Carne Falmouth Hospital 1934 Carnival

These two cups appear to have been sponsored by the Falmouth Hospital (in the days when hospitals had some spare cash!!) They were presented for the class of “Heavy/Shire Horses decorated with Brass and Plumage”.

This photo is the decorated horses to which one of these cups refers to. It has not copied well, but on the original, the name board at the top of the cart says, “CARNES PURE ICES”

Our thanks to Elizabeth Doige for this information, the photo and permission to phtograph the cups.

1920s (to be confirmed)

Photo of a photograph hanging the Seven Stars Pub on the Moor Falmouth

Our thanks to the Rev.Barrington Bennetts of the Seven Stars Pub for this- his photo below dressed in the 2006 uniform of the Falmouth Marine Band being an Honoury Band Member.

Top

Top

Top

Top

Top

Top

Top

Top

Top

Top

Top