Heather Humby
Island Carnival Memories.
Heather joined Sandown Carnival Committee as a teenager in the 1950s and is now Life President.
When Heather was first involved, in what some regard as the heyday of Island Carnival, absolutely everyone in Sandown was part of the Carnival in some way.
Sandown Carnival 1950.
Photos by kind permission of Sandown Carnival Association.
The Carnival procession was made up of many walkers as well as decorated hand carts, bicycles and lorries. Heather talks about how Carnival and tourism were so connected at that time….
“You always got quite excited when it got near Carnival Day and putting the flags up and putting decorations up and also of course it was very good for the visitors. It was something a lot of them came to and booked hotels. They always wanted to know in advance when they booked, “When is the Carnival”, those who enjoyed Carnival, and so yes, it was a fillip for tourism as well as anything else….I think it was a novelty to a lot of people, especially on the Mainland, I think it was something they hadn’t experienced before…….I think the anticipation was always there because they’d start lining up round about … they started at 7 o’clock but they would start forming up about half past five, sitting in the pavements or bringing their little stools to sit on, and the windows would all be open throughout the High Street which was the main route in those days, and they’d all be leaning out the windows and you know, I suppose it was time to have a few drinks as well. The Pubs would be full up and when the carnival got near they’d all merge onto the pavements and it was a lovely atmosphere, as it still is today. It’s something different. Something that as I say, people don’t experience on the Mainland so much.”
Heather recalls joining with her friend Gwen Bartlett whose mother organised Sandown Carnival and assembling in Gwen's garden to pick flowers and decorate the lorry for the parade.
Heather describes Sandown Carnival in the 1950s after the gap because of the Second World War and what the Carnival atmosphere was like then.
Heather recalls how the procession started in the County Ground and proceeded through Lake and into Sandown, she remembers family groups and the bands that made up the Carnival.
Heather remembers holiday makers entering in the name of their hotels, how local organisations supported the Carnival and volunteers who collected money in tins and hods.
Heather remembers when the parade was led by Sandown Boys Brigade and other local bands.
Heather remembers when the Queens used to be much older, she also talks about Pages and the inclusion of boys.
Heather remembers when she joined Sandown Carnival Committee, becoming secretary and now Life President.
Heather talks about how the committee roles and responsibilies have changed over time - red tape and health and safety.
Heather talks about why Carnival is important and how she hopes it will go on and be embraced by future generations.
Sandown Carnival 1951. Photos by kind permission of Sandown Carnival Association.
Sandown Carnival 1952. Photos by kind permission of Sandown Carnival Association.
Sandown Carnival 1953. Photos by kind permission of Sandown Carnival Association.
Sandown Carnival 1954. Photos by kind permission of Sandown Carnival Association.