Local author, David Yates is certainly a man who likes to keep himself busy.
We’ve just heard that he has joined forces with local historian, Fay Brown from the Ventnor Heritage Museum to compile a second history of Ventnor Carnival.
David, better known perhaps as author of Bomb Alley and Beaches Bars and Blisters of the Isle of Wight (due for launch in Ventnor in March) is also a member of the Carnival Committee. He and Fay have been meeting regularly to work on the project but tells us that they are seeking additional volunteers to help complete the work.
We were amazed to hear that the Ventnor Carnival first appeared in 1889 and the only previous history was written sixty years later in 1949. This year will be the 120th anniversary of the Carnival, so David and Fay are keen to produce an updated account in celebration.
In order to tackle such a large task, they’re hoping to recruit a small team of volunteers to assist with many of the research, cataloging, typing and other production tasks involved.
Volunteers should seek further information from Fay at the Heritage Centre, and all readers are asked to submit any old carnival photographs, memorabilia or anecdotes.
Later on it is hoped that several of these old photographs can be posted on the VentnorBlog so that readers can try to identify some of the revellers of yesteryear!
The aim is to seek grants and sponsorship to fund the publication and that all profits should go towards putting on the annual Ventnor Carnival – and ensuring that it thrives for at least another sixty years.
In the meantime, thanks to VentnorBlog Flickr Group member, Ventlindown, here’s some footage of the carnival back in the 1960s. Recognise anyone?
