Carnivals, Fairs, & Fetes.
Up until the closure of the Princetown Railway, there used to be a regular Fair in Princetown where ponies and cattle were sold. After the short-sighted decision to close the branch line was taken this was replaced by an annual Carnival. Over the years this has suffered its own ups and downs. At the time of writing there are plans afoot to revive this tradition, and we can hope that we might again see days like the ones below repeated.
D. W. 2017.
A brief history of the earliest days of Princetown Fairs and Carnivals can be found here.
D. W. 2017.
A brief history of the earliest days of Princetown Fairs and Carnivals can be found here.
Princetown Carnival 1955
Picture courtesy of Arthur Davy. Taken at a garden party in the grounds of the Vicarage. Arthur on the right dressed as a pirate, with his younger brother Pete.
Princetown Carnival 1958
Picture courtesy of Arthur Davy. Arthur riding one of Val Forder's ponies.
Princetown Carnival 1977
These pictures are undated, but I think they date from 1977.
A military band on the Prison football pitch. Flared trousers were big in 1977!
Gentlemen from the village took part in a football match in 'unusual' attire for a football match. David Doidge in fetching purple negligee, Brett Johnson in red with headband. Can anyone name anybody else in this picture? Any names may be submitted (in confidence of course, ahem) here.
Bizarrely, some military cadets seem to have decided to stage a pitch invasion during a deeply serious sporting competition.
Local children dressed as the soldiers of Pippin Fort?
The parade assembles.
The military band is about to march past the Princetown garage. Shell petrol was 88p. a gallon. The drinking water fountain is still in situ outside Duchy Cottages at this time. I think the gentleman with his foot on the wall may have been Joe Phelan?
The parade passes Princetown schools and library.
Princetown Carnival 1978
To spare their blushes, I shall conceal these young people's identities...
The Carnival Queens on their somewhat utilitarian transport.
Princetown Carnival 1990
Apologies in advance for the somewhat 'soft' quality of these pictures. I don't know what camera my father was using that day, but I hope he threw it into a hedge shortly after!
On the day of the Carnival, a vintage car display took place in the playground of Princetown School. This fine Austin(?) is parked outside the now demolished School Canteen.
A Sky Diving display took place into the Prison playing field.
The Princetown tug-of-war team (in blue) in action on Jubilee field. Grahame Waite as anchor.
There were one or two side stalls. This one looks to be selling plants and produce.
Candy Floss and Majorettes in the pre-alteration Duchy Square.
Participants start to line up for the big parade at the end of the day.
History does not record who is inside the Flintstone costumes alas...
The gentleman leaning nonchalantly against the lamppost, I believe is Brian Easterbrook. Chris Doidge at the wheel of the Princetown Bodyworks lorry.
Noted local resident George Blake brandishes balloons at the crowds.
L. to R. Sheila Coates, Peter Coates, Dave German, John Hannaford, Gwen Hannaford, Jacqui Doidge, and Geraldine Williams.
L. to R. Unknown, Unknown, Betty Cribbet, 'Shinty' Cribbet, Un., Henry Oxenham, Rosie Oxenham, Un, Gloria Owen, Fred Owen, Un.
Steven Williams next to Gwen Hannaford. Dave Doidge middle right with striped shirt.