Historic Ryde Society

‘Giving Ryde’s Past to the Future’

Historic Ryde Society Quiz Night Thursday 26 October 2023 at Yelf's Hotel, at 7p.m. for 7.30pm.

With the 2014 Carnival season just ended, and thoughts of both World Wars uppermost in the National conscience, a chance find in an old magazine brought the 1949 Ryde Carnival to life.

The article began with a poem entitled: ‘Ryde Carnival 1888 – 1949’.

‘When Carnival conquered the Continent
He was suddenly seized with a great intent-
He said “I have triumphed in France and Spain,
“In Italy, too, and I’m winning the Dane,
“But Oh! it would be the pride of my rule
“Could I make the Englishman act like a fool.”
Now the Spirit of Carnival looks like an ass,
But it’s only the skin which he wears with his lass.
“Forward!” he cried – and bestrode the Ass;
“Praise be that the time has come to pass
“When Ryde shall lay down the golden rule
“That England is free to Act the Fool!”

The article continued: ‘The revival of Ryde Carnival this year will bring back many memories of the community, for Ryde, it will be remembered, was the first town in England to hold a Carnival – in 1888.

There will be few who remember the first carnivals with their gay costumes and clowning pedestrians – not so very unlike the present day shows but gayer, perhaps, with less accentuation on the prize-givings and a more care-free atmosphere.

Many, however, will remember the last carnival to take place in Ryde before the war – only 48 hours before the war to be precise – when the Pipe Band and the Royal Marines provided the music for the grand procession that encircled the town. Life was a little easier then, and some of the care-free spirit of the first carnival still remained, though the country was on the verge of a six years war.

The 1949 carnival did a lot to revive that spirit, and, although the town did not go quite as mad as it might have done, the spirit was there.

This year’s carnival was a credit to the organisers, who, in a very short time, produced something of the spirit of Ryde which all but a few thought was lost for ever. Next year we can look forward to something bigger and better, with, perhaps, even more gaiety and fun.’

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Ryde Carnival 1949 Shanklin Hawaii Islanders
Ryde Carnival 1949 Shanklin Hawaii Islanders
Ryde Carnival 1949 Ventnor Queens
Ryde Carnival 1949 Ventnor Queens
Ryde Carnival 1949 King Carnival and his henchmen
Ryde Carnival 1949 King Carnival and his henchmen
Ryde Carnival 1949 Jennifer Gloyn Shanklin
Ryde Carnival 1949 Jennifer Gloyn Shanklin
Ryde Carnival 1949 Cripps' Inn
Ryde Carnival 1949 Cripps’ Inn
Ryde Carnival 1949 Ryde Harriers
Ryde Carnival 1949 Ryde Rowing Club
Ryde Carnival 1949 Ryde Rowing Club