Alan Garnett
Island Carnival Memories.
Alan was born and brought up in Ryde and joined his Father’s metalworks business when he left school.
His ironmongery skills came in very useful later on when constructing the Buccaneers Galleons!
Ryde Buccaneers in the 1940s.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett
Alan remembers watching Ryde Carnival with his mother as a young boy and entering the Children’s Carnival aged seven as Davy Crockett. In 1964, aged 17, he joined the Ryde Buccaneers which at that time had 150 members. Alan describes the sheer size and scale of Ryde Carnival then:
“It was the biggest one. Once they moved it down to the Canoe Lake, and we used to go right the way up to the top of … well right up through the Town, past the Hospital. We always used to drive in. We used to get the road cleared and we’d drive the Galleon into Ryde Hospital to wave to the kids in the kiddie’s Ward. We always got told off for it but it never stopped us and then you’d turn round at the horse trough at the top and then come all the way back. I can remember quite a few Carnivals where we came out of Garfield Road, and drive down by the side of the next float in front because the back of the Carnival was still going up Ryde High Street. They moved it slightly to go down Lind Street then but you’re still on that triangle at the top of Union Street. You’d watch the Carnival going past the other way……There were 100 – 120 floats plus walkers plus Bands.”
Alan’s tales of Buccaneers antics during the five decades he was involved are truly fascinating and an integral and important part of our Island Carnival heritage.
1947 photograph of the Buccaneers.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett
Alan remembers the first Carnival he took part in dressed as Davy Crockett and the atmosphere of Carnival in the early 1960s.
Alan talks about how the Buccaneers were founded and when and how Alan joined.
Alan recalls the Buccaneers costumes, the Gangs and the rules of membership.
Alan remembers building the galleon and how they were death traps.
Alan talks about lighting up the galleon, cannons and being water bound.
Alan talks about memories of singing on the galleon and the story of Alan's son singing 'Seraphina' at school after the summer holidays (and Alan's rendition of the song).
Alan remembers collecting money from the crowd - not just in the galleon but also in tin baths, pianos and toilets.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Aladdin Pantomime Alan Garnett - Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Alan Garnett dressed for carnival aged seven Davy-Crockett and his sister as Annie Oakley - Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Alan Garnett dressed for Carnival - Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Alan Garnett last Buccaneer Carnival - Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Buccs and Cops - Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Jim Charlo postcard Having Fun with the Ryde Buccaneers - Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Jim Charlo postcard Ye Charity - Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.
Photograph belonging to Alan Garnett.