The Grampound Times
Christmas 2006 (Edition 43)
Our community in Cornwall
More about the Carnival
No, I havn’t gone beserk in this next contribution - I know it is Christmas and not Carnival time, but it could prove to be a most vital time for our carnival as in early January you will likely see the advertisement for the Annual General Meeting. ( or maybe even elsewhere in this paper ) I well remember a few years ago when the top room of the old Town Hall was so crowded for the Carnival AGM that even after additional seating had been brought in some folk still had to stand. That was the sort of response of course that the hard work of the Carnival Committee deserves. So how about 2007 - can we as a community again crowd into the AGM venue and show just how much we really appreciate the Committee’s work. It is possible to look on Carnival Day as a village day without taking it’s great importance fully into account. All of our village organisations have the opportunity to benefit from the afternoon fete - and most do. The financial gain possible to individual organisations by supporting with their stalls and games is very considerable, and a sizeable hole in funds available for their years work would exist if Carnival week were to end! We all need to think about that! There can’t be anyone who does not realise that without Officers and Committee such an excellent organisation could not exist - so what’s the answer - one answer is your support - support - support - support!
In 1992 MARGARET LUNDIE gave us a poem that for that time provided a brilliant view of Grampound Carnival - it is now outdated only by the changes in names of folk bringing Carnival to you. WINSTON ( BENNETTS ) an absolute stalwart of Carnival here is sadly no longer with us, and JAMES (WOODMAN) Carnival Chairman for 20 years, a fantastic record, together with PETER COCK, remain supporters of the day from outside of the Committee, but they are always there even if not easily recognisable! Workers of earlier years have quite reasonably been replaced by a new band of stalwarts BILL & MARY COLLINS, JOE FRYER, DONNA STILL, SYLVIA MCKAY, MARTIN WAYMAN, SIMON FANN who form the existing Carnival Committee. We should not forget of course the other folks who choose not to be Committee people but who nevertheless give invaluable help, particularly on Carnival day itself. I know it is a little early perhaps to be thinking about New Year Resolutions, but I have decided upon one of mine already; it is to attend the Carnival Annual General Meeting whenever it takes place to show my thanks and support for the efforts made by the folk who have kept Carnival alive here in Grampound. How about you, after all there is no law which says many people can have a similar Resolution!
If there is one thing that should convince you of the pleasure of Carnival here in Grampound it is MARGARET’S poem - so here it is for you to enjoy again………
GRAMPOUND CARNIVAL
Tis the custom here in Cornwall a Carnival to hold
In every tiny village - it dates from times of old.
We celebrate our feast day when all the rest are passed
Just like the wise old saying, let’s keep the best till last.
But did you know for 19 years our tarnished trophies lay
Forgotten and abandoned to await another day.
Then back in 1979 the Committee was revived
And from that day to this one, our Carnival has survived
And what a joy it is to see our village come together
To enjoy the sport, and fancy dress whatever be the weather.
To hear the blast of trumpets and the boom of the drum beat
When Silver Bands and Majorettes parade along Fore Street.
With Winston marching at the head in suit and bowler black
But if he’s wise today he ought to bring along his mac.
To see the multi-coloured flags flutter in the breeze
Attached to clock tower, shops and home and not, I add, with ease
By Jimmy at the bottom and Peter at the top.
Fingers crossed and hoping hard the traffic’s going to stop.
But none of this would happen without some real hard work
Which some folks in this village never ever shirk
So let us all as we enjoy this first Saturday in September
Be sure that we our thanks do give to each Committee member
And as Chairman James’ letter in the Programme here you read,
I ask you to consider well and its message please to heed.
This day is meant for all of us the village to unite
A day of fun and merriment and dancing too tonight.
So enter in the spirit whether Grampound born and bred
Or up country foreigners for when all is done and said
This village is our home now and a place dear to our heart
And we can show we love it by always taking part.
MARGARET LUNDIE
September 1992.
© 2006 Grampound with Creed Parish Council