18/06/2022
A Brief History of Totton and Eling Carnival.
The earliest record I can find is way back in 1898, some 124 years ago. Although it is suggested the Carnival has been going since 1797.
The carnival originally being held in November by torch light (similar to our modern day Lantern Parade). The Committee at the time was JW Fletcher (Chairperson), HW Powell (Hon. Treasurer), J Childs and E Moore (Hon. Secs.), FJ Holloway, J Player, H Chilcott, J Lovell, FG Player, WH Booth, P Sutton, W Blundell, FM Holmes, J Wyatt, VT Moore, and C Abrahams. Prizes were given similar to today for fancy dress, the winners of which were dressed as three dominos. Second prize awarded to Misses Olive Chilcott and B Weaver for ‘Mary had a little lamb’, with third prize going to Miss de Lara for ‘Buttercup’. Awards were also presented for categories including best decorated cycle, best decorated car, best decorated premises, highest amount collected by a child under thirteen and one for adults. The procession was also joined by 2nd Hants Fife and Drum Band. A big bonfire and fireworks ended the evening. It was discussed at a meeting at Oddfellows’ Arms that the Charities the money collected would be distributed between the Royal South Hants Infirmary, the Eye and Ear Hospitals, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Shipwrecked Mariners and Fishermans Society, the inmates of the Totton Almshouses, and Totton Soup Kitchen.
By 1913 the Carnival had grown considerably with more categories having been added. Prizes were awarded for best tradesman’s turnout being won by F Blake, Fruiterer. Mounted tableau was won by W Bolton, with Italian Family winning first prize in the unmounted tableau. Other categories were mounted costume, Ladies comic costume, Gents comic costume, Ladies fancy costume, Children’s fancy costume, and Children’s decorated cycle. The procession was joined by Ashby’s Ragtime Band led by Drum-Major H Abraham, Totton Band, Cadnam Band, Totton Fire Brigade and Totton Troop of Boy Scouts. Headed by a mounted Policeman and the Police, under Sergt Tilling the procession made its way down Rumbridge St, Bagber Rd, Water Lane, Commercial Rd, High St, Eling Lane, Fishers Rd and into Rushington Park. Prizes were awarded on arrival and then an evening of sports events and entertainment pursued. There were 27 entries in the baby competition, with each entry being presented with a Bible as a souvenir by Miss Hony. Tea was provided Mrs Shone and other refreshments by Mr E Harris of the Station Hotel. The evening finished at 10pm with the National Anthem.
In 1923 a successful Carnival dance was held at St Marys Hall. The hall was filled to its utmost and dancing continued well into the early hours. Balloons and streamers distributed in profusion produced much merriment. Mr A Powell was MC.
Married vs Single – Part of the festivities in 1925. A comic costume football match took place in Downs Park. Both teams marched into the grounds under es**rt of The Dark Horse Jazz Band. Upon arrival the married men captioned by Mr P Barter opposed the single men captioned by Mr LA Coleman in a weird interpretation of a game of football. There were no set rules and the antics of the players in their varied costumes entertained a crowd of some 600 spectators. The married men won 4 goals to 3.
In 1926 it was agreed by the Committee to move the Carnival from November to September 8th for the advantage of holding the procession in daylight, although the glamour of a torchlight parade will be missed by those who favour that attractive form of display.
Skip forward to today, 18th June 2022 and the parade will leave Calmore Industrial Estate at 4pm. The weather is looking good although there has been a few drops of rain this morning. Tanya and her Committee have worked splendidly to bring back the Carnival after a trying two years. I for one will be stood roadside to enjoy the procession as it passes by.
