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Ryde Carnival Festivities!

Ryde Carnival Festivities!


The oldest carnival event in the UK started in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria’s Jubilee and which she attended. Flags were everywhere and Scottish bagpipes played as the Queen was driven through the streets. When night fell, an illuminated torchlight procession of floats began.


Image: Museum of Ryde
Image: Museum of Ryde

(If you are in a group, perhaps take turns to read each story out loud in character!)

The bright sunny days lead to crowds that have all kinds of styles. I love to dance to any kind of music. The sight of people looking and cheering says something about this extraordinary and very pleasing event, at the end of the day. The view of people, seeing the way they light up the day for everyone.

Five years ago, I would never have imagined myself dancing and making people feel like they belong on the Island. People of this Island need to know that this will make their days so much better.

1888 was the year the Carnival was created for real, and if I had been there for the first one it would have been such an amazing opportunity. But of course I was not born yet. I love the fact that every carnival in the 1950s was named by the Carnival Queen – Diane Saunders, Enid Myatt, Shirley Woodward…


And listen to this short sound clip!





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