Linda Morris
Island Carnival Memories.
Linda was born a Valvona – her Dad Tony was born on the Island to Italian parents.
Linda’s grandfather Valvona owned the scrap yard in Oakfield where the family float would be constructed each year.
Valvona float - ‘She's Lovely’, the 1960s.
Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Valvona float - ‘Now Appearing At The Theatre’, 1960ish.
Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Valvona float - ‘No Expense Spared’, the 1960s.
Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Linda remembers being wrapped in blankets as a very small girl and taken by her Mum to watch her Dad on the Valvona lorry in the parade on Ryde Esplanade, she thought it always looked so much fun up there. Linda remembers entering her first Children’s Carnival dressed as a tissue! In 1965 Linda and her sister presented the bouquets to the Carnival Queens and met Mr Pastry who according to Linda was not very nice!
Once Linda had a family of her own she helped produce entries for her daughter’s Rainbow and Brownie groups. Linda also ran a Lilliputs playgroup in Haylands and for several years created costumes and floats for her pre-school children. During the 2000s Linda became involved in creating the entries for Binstead Community Centre.
In more recent years she has been central to the Mardi Gras; firstly when she worked at Mayfield Middle School (Greenmount Primary) and then with Barton Primary where she rallied all the staff to be involved. Linda has helped many many children and young people engage with carnival over the years, giving children of all abilities the chance to both create and perform.
Now she has retired she is planning to continue her involvement with carnival by learning new skills which she hopes to be able to pass onto the next generation.
Valvona family in the 1960s.
Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Valvona float - ‘Dr Stinko’, the 1960s.
Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Linda remembers watching her Dad Tony Valvona and his family on their comedy float at Ryde Carnival.
Linda remembers entering Ryde Children's Carnival one year and talks about her Mum's sewing skills and being taught how to sew.
Linda remembers Carnival Week events - colouring competition, sandcastle competition and the presentation of flowers to Queens which Linda did in 1965.
Linda remembers the fair and events at the Rec, judging and children all getting sweets for taking part.
Linda remembers the floats from her childhood including the Valvona's University Challenge, lack of health and safety, and cooking burgers on a BBQ on one of her floats!
Linda's daughters taking part with the Rainbows and Brownies in the 1990s.
Linda remembers her Carnival entries with her playgroup Lilliputs in Haylands.
Linda remembers her involvement with creating the float for Binstead Community Centre through the 2000s.
Linda talks about her involvement with the Mardi Gras, firstly when she worked at Mayfield Middle and then Barton Primary School.
Linda talks about the buzz, the hard work and some memorable moments.
Linda presenting bouquet to Ryde Carnival Queen 1965. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Float outside Dover St Church Ryde 1963, Linda a bride doll in white, Linda's sister is a clown. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
5th Ryde Brownies Gypsy theme c.1995. Photographs belonging to Linda Morris.
Rainbow Guides Japanese theme c.1992. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Lilliput Playgroup 101 Dalmations 1995 adults. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Lilliput Playgroup 101 Dalmations 1995 children. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Lilliput Playgroup Noahs Ark 1996 adults. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Lilliput Playgroup Noahs Ark 1996. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Lilliput Playgroup Peter Pan 1997. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Lilliput Playgroup Peter Pan 1997 float. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Lilliput Playgroup Flower Garden float 1998. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Lilliput Playgroup Flower Garden 1998. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Lilliput Playgroup All Around the World float. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Lilliput Playgroup All Around the World 2000. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Carribean Cocktails 2001. Photographs belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Old Bull and Bush 2002 float. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Old Bull and Bush 2002. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Bollywood Nights 2003 float. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Bollywood Nights 2003. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Bollywood Nights 2003 float. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Fairy Frolics 2004. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Baywatch 2005 float. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Baywatch 2005. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Baywatch Babes 2005. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Rave Up in Rio 2006. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Ho Ho Ho Down 2007. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Santa's Confused 2008 baubles. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Santa's Confused.com 2008. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Santas Confused 2008 fairies. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Santas Confused 2008 reindeer. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC High School Musical 2009 back of float. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC High School Musical 2009. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC High School Musical 2009 walker. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Wizard of Oz 2010 Dorothies. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Wizard of Oz 2010 float. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.
Binstead CC Wizard of Oz 2010. Photograph belonging to Linda Morris.