Carnival Party Time!
6 July 2008
CARNIVAL: Yes its that time again, the time for carnivals and parties and all things joyful. Yes indeed it's glorious high summer in downtown Dover. Many Forumites ambled to the annual David Hannent Carnival Party in Castle St, now a firm function in the social calender, to enjoy some food, wine, and good company, and to watch the parade roll by. The weather was fantastic for the day and the watching waiting crowds were all agog with anticipation. When it came it was great fun and all enjoyed the event. It was particularly good for the kids, the kids of all ages.
And speaking of kids, the picture on the left shows lovely Victoria Hannent buying a ballooon from the Ballooon Man. I believe it to be an image of Shrek. She was delighted. Also in the picture is mum Linda Hannent with cash at the ready.
Picture by ColetteB.
The Lovely girls from Lydd had a beautiful blue and white stand, with gorgeous blue butterflies, much like themselves..all gorgeous butterflies, clearly all enjoying their visit to Dover. The pic on the right shows Big Dave Hannent with lil Victoria...and of course Shrek. Any hint of a family resemblance between Big Dave and Shrek is open to wild speculation only.
The street party is in full swing, with enthusiastic revellers aplenty, all members of this forum, and all giving it some celebratory welly. The colourful Dover Athletic float has just drifted by, adding to the glorious party scene.
Ah girls and their fish n chips. All very tempting and very tasty and Im not just talking about the chips! The chips of course are always tasty too from the Castle St chippie.. Saskia, Alison and BrionyB all enjoying the party atmosphere.
The marching bands always add a great deal to any carnival and the one featured in the picture above did just that. It's the 354 Air Training Corp (Dover Squadron) doing their thing in fine style. They bang a mean drum so they do! The guys on the right are of course all toooo familiar... yes its Barry W-S and Ian 'Croc' Lillford enjoying a happy go lucky glass of vin rouge and vin blanc. Great fun!
According to source AlisonW, it appeared that BarryW had been "very good that afternoon!" Well, nudge nudge wink wink, no further comment required, but BarryW gets a super hug here for his earlier sterling efforts!! On the right we have the distinguished looking David Mullan complete with dashing headgear. Very Indiana Jones for sure! David enjoyed the occasion.
An ever so slightly inebriated PaulB flirting outrageously with Mrs 'Humphy' Mitchell right behind Mr 'Guzzler' Mitchell's back, thats the man himself on the left. Well it shouldnt be allowed! and all while waiting for the parade's arrival. The picture on the right shows the roving journalists from the Dover Express. Well they were certainly roving on the day because they took part in the parade and had walked all the way from its source in River. Thats Yam, Rhys, and Kathy, out and about on a mission to meet and greet. ColetteB got these two shots again.
Ah!.. show a politician a lofty perch and they will surely make a speech.In the pic on the left we have the ever lovable Davidh doing just that. I thought initially he appeared to be making strangling gestures towards the photographer but no it wasnt the case! On the right we have Linda in Joan of Arc mode... manning the barricades and rallying all to the cause of jollity and frivolity. Oooh! that's a big one Linda!
End.
CARNIVAL: Yes its that time again, the time for carnivals and parties and all things joyful. Yes indeed it's glorious high summer in downtown Dover. Many Forumites ambled to the annual David Hannent Carnival Party in Castle St, now a firm function in the social calender, to enjoy some food, wine, and good company, and to watch the parade roll by. The weather was fantastic for the day and the watching waiting crowds were all agog with anticipation. When it came it was great fun and all enjoyed the event. It was particularly good for the kids, the kids of all ages.And speaking of kids, the picture on the left shows lovely Victoria Hannent buying a ballooon from the Ballooon Man. I believe it to be an image of Shrek. She was delighted. Also in the picture is mum Linda Hannent with cash at the ready.
Picture by ColetteB.
Ah!.. show a politician a lofty perch and they will surely make a speech.In the pic on the left we have the ever lovable Davidh doing just that. I thought initially he appeared to be making strangling gestures towards the photographer but no it wasnt the case! On the right we have Linda in Joan of Arc mode... manning the barricades and rallying all to the cause of jollity and frivolity. Oooh! that's a big one Linda!End.
- Carnival was fab. Heaps of people turned out all along the route but I have to say my feet are throbbing this morning!!
- Great weather for the carnival, we really enjoyed ourselves, and little Victoria loved the balloon which was almost as big as herself.
- A good time was had by all and the weather was kind after all good picture of victora and her rather large balloon.
- Looks like it was a great event and everyone enjoyed themselves.
- We had a great day, it was great to see so many people out enroute, never walked the Carnival before and boy am I paying for it today!!!
The band above are 354 (Dover Squadron) Air Training Corps! and some of their counterparts all supporting each other. The other band was the New Romney Sea Cadet Band, who stepped in at the last minute, big thanks to all who took part, next year perhaps a few more local businesses can be persauded to join in the fun!!!!
The Ramada Staff had a whale of time, staff from all departments worked together to put the float together and walk the route, great team work!
Love Michelle x. - Thanks Michelle for the band info there...will add that now shortly.
- Whilst I appreciate the Forum is not a local paper and a lot of forumites attended Davids party,It would have been good to have seen a few more photos of the actual carnival.Where was there a picture of Miss Dover??I did watch the carnival as it left River.
Paul and no pictutes of the Scarecrow trail.It was a great success. - Looks like a great time was had by all and what great weather. Lovely colourfull pictures.
- What a lovely day!!! and fine evening at the white horse.
- Well I thought we had a good day, but as per usual we have had a number of moaners on another forum, and via text and e-mail
I don't know what else we can do. I am a bit emotional over it all right now so I apologise in advance for any spelling blips.
WE DID OUR BEST WITH THE TOOLS WE HAVE. If it wasn't good enough in the eyes of some then all I can say is come find out what it is like on the front line, and see how hurtful the negativity is. If we had a big pot of money we could give Dover a carnival bigger than anyone has ever seen, but we don't, we cannot even get the fair here. - Keep your chin up Mandie. Volunteers like you are doing a great job that many of the carpers wont dream of doing.
No matter what you do some will always take a shot while staying in their bunker inactive.... - Did you see that smiles on the faces of the Court Members? Did you see the crowds from Crabble to Castle Street? Dover People having fun in the Street and celebrating, that's what keeps me and everyone else in DCAL motivated and a few small minded comments on another forum will not stop us and the Court of Dover from doing what we do and we hope that you all continue to support us, roll on next year that's what I say, I had a ball!!!
Thanks Michelle - Mandie you did us proud, my family all loved the carnival and came back full of it. You just keep on doing what you do so well and rest asured that it makes us all smile and be happy. Just ignore the knockers - they've got nothing beter to do than moan. They're just sad little people who need to get a life!
MANDIE RULES - OK!!!!!
You're the best honey and don't you forget it. We all luv ya!
xxx - I do feel two sides to the carnival this year -- really thought everyone put in fantastic work and support and I too was pleased to be part of the townpeople watching the carnival. What I did however fill quite pitiful was the fact that Dover had a lot of police around on this event -- it seems they would only turn up to an event like this rather than actually being in the town all day!
Also do feel that Dover businesses could of well contributed to the town -- for example why not get say the Dover Town Council to do a float or River Parish Council after all its DOVER Carnival. What about this Scarecrow trail, why didn't anyone publicise that Anyhow without making too much comment for what it was worth I was proud to see how all our Dovorians came out in their hundreds to watch the carnival. Thought that the carnival courts looked good - what happened to the other Dover Carnival Association float ?
Well done and in particular to Mandie -- she is extremely hardworking and Dover should be proud -- if only the other regulars (Mentioning no name) could be the same and didn't want their photo or name everywhere. WELL DONE... be good to see next year's carnival! See what comment I will make their! - Thanks for all the positives guys. It is much appreciated.
In answer to Lee anns comment. The other Dover is not one recognised by Dover Town council, and thus were not invited. This is all I am happy to say on this particular topic due to it possibly causing problems for this forum.
The feed back in general HAS been good, just a small minority.
You cannot please everyone