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Description: | Float with rocket and astronauts in the procession through Titchfield, passing through the Square. Rocket, named the Apollo X111, has notice saying Titchfield aiming into the next century.
The carnival is organised by the Bonfire Boys who were known to be in existence several years before 1888 when a tar barrel was burnt in the Square. It is possible that they date back to 1880.The carnival also possibly had earlier associations connected to the Third Earl of Southampton, who upset the villagers by blocking off the estuary at Hill Head in 1611. The villagers retaliated by burning an effigy of him after parading it around the streets. It is also possible that the carnival replaced a riotous but defunct autumn fair. In 1919 another tar barrel was burnt in the Square and there were complaints that the paintwork of some houses was damaged.
In 1894, members in costume paraded round the square with a guy and rocket stand on a trolley. In the evening they were accompanied by the Titchfield Drum and Fife Band and torch bearers to a paddock belonging to Mr Wilkins of the Bugle, where there was a fireworks display. By 1897, the event had grown because there were 150 people in the procession and a bonfire 20ft high and 40ft round in Bell's Field, Coach Hill with fireworks. In 1898 one of the tableaux was the last stand of General Gordon in 1884 escorted by a guard of lancers in white helmets. There was also a trades' procession - the cars of the tanners engaged in fleshing and tanning hides and also butchers, blacksmiths etc. The tableaux at this time were horse drawn.
By 1907, they were collecting money for charities and tableaux included a living skeleton, an airship, Polly Secundus, made from a bicycle and lit by acetylene lamps and the sad story of the Mistletoe Bough. The event was divided into 2 sections. In the afternoon the procession went round the town to show off the floats. In the evening torchlights and lanterns heightened the fun. Masks were worn to add to the excitement as well.
There were no carnivals during both world wars. Since 1946 though, the carnival has grown steadily bigger. Some of the bands have included the Black Watch, the Royal Marines and the US 3rd Air Force. Tableaux, now often on lorries, have included Mount Everest being climbed, Swan Lake ballet and Alice in Wonderland. Also in the procession have been Can Can dancers, giants on stilts and pram races. The centre piece of the day is the crowning of the Bonfire Queen in the square. After the procession there is the bonfire, fireworks and funfair.
Attracting up to 50,000 people, the annual Titchfield carnival is the biggest celebration of its kind in the south of England. Taking part in the October half term, it still has afternoon and evening processions through the streets.
References:
1. Brown, Ron. 1997. Stubbington and Titchfield, p. 85-90.
2. Titchfield History Society. 1982. Titchfield A History, p.121-124. | Format: | image/jpeg | License: | http://www.sopse.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?a=query&p=gateway&f=generic_sitetext%2ehtm&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXMAXHITS_=1&cms_con_core_subtype%3acms_con_text_what=copyright&%3acms_sys_group=%22sopse%22 | Rights holder: | The News, Portsmouth | Subjects: | shop the Square Band of the Royal Marines General Gordon tableau street float business event Post Office inn Titchfield carnival U S 3rd Air Force Band building Earl of Southampton Coach Hill carnival fair Bugle Wilkins Titchfield Fife and Drum Band procession public house Bell's Field Bonfire Boys Band of the Black Watch | Temporal: | start=1995-10-01; end=1995-10-31; | Source: | Sense of place SE | Creator: | The News, Portsmouth | Identifier: | http://www.sopse.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.... | Language: | en-GB | Format: | image/jpeg | Go to resource |
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