Published in Windlesora 16 (1998)
© WLHG
The word Carnival derives from the Latin and
means the giving up of meat. In Roman Catholic
countries carnivals took place prior to Lent. In
Protestant countries, carnival has lost its
association with Lent but many towns and villages
throughout this country hold traditional festivities
under that name.
In Old Windsor, the carnival has an unbroken
record of 35 years and today is still very active
and well supported by everyone in the village
from nursery school children to the many youth
and adult associations. It is not the only carnival
in the area.
Many people will remember the Slough and Windsor District Holiday Carnival which was held annually during August Bank Holiday week on Agars’ Plough. This began as a Holidays-at-Home venture in 1942 during World War II and was billed as “The Greatest Show in the South of England”. Thousands of pounds were collected for the “All Good Causes Fund”. Its aims were to entertain local people with a funfair and a display arena, and to encourage local hobbies and crafts with competitions in marquees.
The beginnings of Old Windsor Carnival are found in the Sports and Social Association which was founded in the 1950 largely through the initiative of Bill Wing, landlord of the Bells of Ouzley. Among its sections were angling, badminton, golf, rifle shooting and tennis.
Prior to 1961 a fete was held, sponsored by the Association and run by the British Legion. In 1961 the Association dreamed of building a sports centre in the village and to raise funds launched the annual carnival. The organising committee was chaired by Bill Wing, but by 1969 they had raised only £2,000. It was realised that the dream could never become a financial reality and the committee was disbanded. Two questions were asked: “Why a Carnival?” and “Where to now?”. The aims were already known, but the second question bought to notice the project to sell off the existing ground and provide full sports facilities at Manor Park. With no visible signs of progress, both the village and committee decided despite their frustrations that they were still willing to give their support. A new committee was formed, largely composed of the same enthusiasts, and they decided to continue the tradition of the carnival but the surplus money should be distributed to national and local charities, including schools.
The original fund of £2,000 plus interest was distributed to village sports clubs and St Peter’s and King’s Court Schools. The schools each received £775 for jumping pits and swimming pools. Old Windsor is very fortunate in having a splendid recreation ground of 12 acres situated in the centre of the village and providing a good site for the event. Permission for its use is granted by Old Windsor Parish Council.
To ensure all-round success, the carnival committee of approximately 20 enthusiastic and hard-working members commence meetings in January to plan, organise and book 25 to 30 events.
Choosing a theme for the floats in the procession can be a teaser. Should it represent past times or a topical theme of the day or one of the future? Some from previous years have been very diverse with challenging titles such as “Advertising”, “The Swinging Sixties”, “Transport through the Ages”, “Song Titles”, “Children’s Books”, “Notable Events” and “Myths and Legends”.
Whereas some carnivals last for a week or just a day, this one starts early in May and continues until Carnival Weekend early in June. One of the first events is the Carnival Dance at which the Carnival Queen and her attendants are chosen. The only qualification to enter is that they live in the village. The winners are awarded a crown or coronets and a dress allowance for the occasion when they lead the procession in their carriage and pair on the final Saturday. At the “May Fayre” held by the Guide and Scout movements, a Carnival Sprite, Mini-sprite and two princesses are chosen, thus completing the royal entourage.
The two very popular repertory companies, namely the Riverside Players and St Peter’s Players, can always be relied on to stage entertaining productions, be it drama, comedy or a musical extravaganza. Both sportsmanship and fun are vividly displayed by groups when competing in netball rallies, tennis tournaments, bingo sessions or six-a-side football.
Of utmost importance is the main charity. Those benefiting over the years have included RNIB, Childline, St John Ambulance, The National Asthma Campaign and Multiple Sclerosis.
There is always a Grand Raffle which has some 200 prizes including those from HM the Queen and HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Local tradespeople are very generous, donating suitable and valuable prizes. A team of ticket sellers visits villagers, relatives and friends.
Centre ring performances are sometimes breathtaking and have included high wire and trapeze acts. Sometimes marching bands display their skills. Maybe Morris dancers or a karate team will show how it’s done. The committee try to avoid repeating acts and give a good all round display.
When carnival attractions and dates are known the 2,500 programmes are freely distributed to every household in the village. This is made possible by the generosity of local firms who advertise in the programme and defray the cost of printing. In the 1960s a smaller edition was published costing either 6d or 1/- (5p).
As with carnivals which have stood the test of time there are celebrations to recognise special events. Old Windsor can be proud of two, the Silver Jubilee of HM the Queen in 1977 and the Carnival’s Silver Anniversary in 1985. In 1977 the front cover of the programme had a white cover with all the working and logo in mauve, and all events were prefixed with the word Jubilee. This programme became a collector’s item. Carnival of 1985 celebrated with a programme cover of pale blue, the logo and the words:
1961-1985 25 YEARS OF FUN AND FUND-RAISING
The 1978 cover depicted the traditional Sprite riding on a fairground roundabout consisting of an elongated “Kingsbury Beast”. The beast is a small ornamental bronze discovered during the archaeological dig at the site of the Old Saxon Palace and was probably made in the ninth century. It has been adopted as the symbol of Old Windsor.
The arrival of carnival weekend sees some splendid attractions suitable for all age groups. On Friday evening at 7.30 pm there is the ever popular Donkey Derby, a real sporting event. Family and friends have always turned out, wet or fine, to participate in the proceedings. The donkeys are loaned from local stables and ridden by young jockeys racing in humorously named heats. The hilarious donkey names, listed in the race card, are worth a read even if you don’t have a flutter. Demon Dinosaur, Stubble and Strife, and Nutty Thick Slice are a few examples. The most novel name is awarded a prize. Totalizator facilities are available for those with a keen eye for a well-bred donkey. At 9.45 pm a Grand Fireworks Display is staged by John Walls Fun Fair which is usually resident from the middle of the week.
The village comes alive with a buzz on Saturday morning with participants, an army of helpers and stall-holders, setting up their stalls with games, plants, toys, books and other attractions. In other parts of the village the procession vehicles are being decorated with the theme title prominently displayed, and those on board dressed accordingly. With all age groups some spectacular scenes are acted out. The procession assembles at 1 pm at Tyle Place where the judging of floats, bicycles and foot parties takes place at 1.30 pm and at 2 pm the whole assembly moves off led by a band, a Sprite, and the Carnival Queen with her attendants to tour the village. People gather with cameras and videos capturing the scene passing before them, and collecting tins are hopefully rattled. Meanwhile the recreation ground is already a mass of people taking part and generally enjoying themselves. The Grand Raffle takes place at 4.45 pm with a fireworks display at 10 pm. On Sunday a few more competitions and sports are organised followed by an open air service to which all are welcome with hymns of praise to close the Carnival.
Throughout the short history of Old Windsor Carnival its two main objectives have been: To encourage the village to have fun and to raise money.
The total amount raised so far is in excess of £41,000, an amount of which Old Windsor can be justly proud.
Ellen Dollery
I would like to thank everyone who has helped with photographs and information for this article.
(Web editor note July 2023: no information available about the images in this article)
Windsor Local History Group 