With grateful thanks to John Jeffery, Geoff Enticott and Pete Perryman

I'm writing this edition of Moulding's Memories right in the middle of carnival season. In normal times, we would have recently enjoyed carnival night in Axminster.

It is also a very poignant time, as much-loved carnival supporter Richard Lambert recently passed away and his funeral was preceded by a 'procession' through Trinity Square and around the town.

Richard, as reported on Axminster Nub News, was very much loved in Axminster; he was heavily involved in Axminster Young Farmers and was a member of the Minster Carnival Club.

Richard was a big lad – as strong as an ox! On one occasion, a car was parked in Musbury Road, in the wrong place and causing a hazard to carnival tableaux and spectators alike.

All residents had been given notice that vehicles needed to be removed from the streets on the day of the procession, but no bother. Richard, single-handedly picked up one end of the car, swung it around and moved the car off the road!

Over 100 years of Axminster Carnival

The tradition of Axminster Carnival has lasted for more than 100 years, being re-instated after the First World War. I'm not sure if the carnival took place during World War II, but the current pandemic has been responsible for the cancellation of the 2020 Axminster Carnival – the first cancellation in my memory. However, bad weather has twice halted the procession.

My first memory of Axminster Carnival was in 1951, when as a five-year-old, I was on stage for the crowning of the carnival queen, seen talking to Miss Sheppard. I suppose I would have been classified as a Carnival Prince.

There was always a carnival programme, full of the week's events. The cover was a pale background colour, with a stencilled photograph of Edwin Dawkins & Sons on the back page – a must as far as the carnival president, Miss Sheppard was concerned. Other sponsors and advertisers also contributed to the carnival programme.

Carnival week seemed to start on the Friday evening prior to the actual week, when Herbert's fun fair switched on its lights, blasted out its music and festivities commenced.

In the fifties and sixties the fair was set up in South Street Car Park, with the dodgems in the front section opposite corner shop Matthews and the waltzers behind the post office. I remember, as a 14 year old, that the way it worked was that you invited the girlfriend of the day to accompany you into a bumper-car to show off your driving skills – or not!

The fun fair later relocated to Coombe Lane car park, where it remained during carnival week for more than 50 years. However, when my friend Jim Rowe closed the market and later built houses adjacent to the car park, it was sensible to move the fun fair back to Lyme Street in the site now operated by NCP car parks, through the kind permission of Graham Barton and Neil Hiscocks.

The Herbert family have been great supporters of Axminster Carnival over the years. The usual fun fair fights have always been dealt with by the Herbert family and our excellent local police. Maybe it was not a coincidence when Barbara Pope, daughter of Kilmington Constable PC Pope, married one of the Herbert family – so we still see local girl Barbara every year when she returns, looking after one of the fun fair side-shows.

The carnival programme set out the week's events. There was something to enjoy each day.

Crowning of the Carnival Queen

Prior to carnival week, a carnival queen, attendants and princesses were selected, by different means. Sometimes the selection was made by the carnival committee, or even by the number of draw tickets each girl sold. However, we have had some marvellous carnival queens over the years and the ladies selected were proud to be named Axminster Carnival Queen.

In days gone by, the queen and attendants were crowned in Trinity Square on the first Saturday of carnival week, usually by some local dignitary. Emmie Sheppard was always there and was affectionately known as the Queen Mother. The girls were dressed by Edwin Dawkins and always looked resplendent.

As there was an event on every day, the queen and attendants made themselves available to attend all the events where possible.

On the first Saturday, following the crowning of the queen, there was usually a children's fancy dress competition, well supported by competitors and spectators. I also remember a car treasure hunt, run by Axmister Drama Club, as a regular feature on the first Saturday.

There was always bingo and whist drives during the week. The whist drives were under the direction of Connie Stocker and Ursula Steer, whilst the bingo was run by Nelly Weller and Mary Pascoe.

Nelly and Mary were, at the time, running weekly bingo sessions on behalf of the Foxhill Playing Field Association and when they retired, Geoff Enticott, Peter Perryman and Jackie Lack continued the weekly bingo in the Guildhall, for the benefit of Axminster Carnival. More recently Geoff has been assisted by Marion Margetts, Nicky Powell and Ron Jones.

The carnival programme provided information about the 'Misplaced Articles' competition, which is still running and arranged through the town shops. The programme also featured a 'Mystery Person', with a photograph, usually with person garbed in a cloak. I have included with this article a photo of a mystery person which appeared in a carnival programme many years ago. Can you guess who it is?

Events to keep us busy all week

Coffee mornings have always taken place on the Thursday of carnival week and, in order to raise funds for carnival, Geoff Enticott and his colleagues ran a coffee morning this year.

We also had darts and skittles competitions staged throughout the week – darts run by Albert Russell and Robin Mitchell, plus skittle thanks to Les Ellis.

Outside of carnival week we also had the annual River Axe Raft Race; a fantastic event put on for the benefit of Axminster Carnival by Pete Perryman, together with Jerry and Jackie Lack. In some years, more than 50 rafts took on the River Axe rapids! They even had tractor pulling at the end of the race at Whitford, and at Coryton park the Young Farmers assisted with a grass track motor racing event.

We have also had music halls, jumble sales, family dog shows, annual half-marathon races, and discos throughout the year – all raising money for carnival to distribute to worthy recipients.

In the fifties and sixties, through the kind assistance of Axminster Town Football Club, we also had a carnival football match, with characters of the town dressed up whilst taking part. I have included a photograph of one of these matches. Can you guess the players?

At the old North Street cricket ground there was also a grand carnival summer fete, usually held on the first Saturday and including the fancy dress parade from the square.

I also remember fashion shows and even sumo wrestling.

Click here to read Part II of Andrew's Carnival Memories