Report and
Pictures courtesy
Colchester
Evening Gazette
May 18 2000
Picture Nigel Brown (8868-3)by IRIS CLAPP
THE month before Brightlingsea Carnival, you don't mess with Leanne's mum.
"That would be the wrong time to ask her anything. She just doesn't want to know if
it isn't to do with the carnival," declared Leanne Scales. Leanne is 16,
bright and with a mischievious grin which she now directs at her mother. This year she is
Brightlingsea's carnival queen. Apart from the weight of the crown, everything about the
carnival and being its queen meets with her approval. Even the dress - a simple, floor
length design in pale blue satin - is eagerly awaited.
Six years ago she was a princess. Now the would-be graphic designer - she's taking a GNVQ
in computer studies at Colchester Institute - talks eagerly about being a guest at the
Brightlingsea Mayor's Reception.
Such enthusiasm for a carnival could appear out of place. Elsewhere, there has not been
such commitment. Village and town carnivals are going to the wall. For years, many have
been saved for another 12 months only by the skin of their teeth - and then by the same
people who had vowed they would never again get involved.
This, in a nutshell, is the problem. It isn't that we don't all love a carnival. We do. We
line the streets for the carnival procession and willingly take part in carnival events.
"I don't think it has anything to do with the participation," mused Leanne's
mother, Jayne Chapman. "But I think it has everything to do with having people
willing to organise and to fundraise."
She got it in one. Jayne Chapman is one of those willing volunteers. Somehow, it's in the
blood. Jayne's mother, Joyce Barnes, was Brightlingsea's carnival queen in 1959. Her aunt,
Joan, was queen in 1952 when it was still Brightlingsea Regatta. Jayne never entered the
competition.
"I was at college, so I didn't feel I had the time. But, to be honest, it wasn't
really my thing," she explained.
Her daughter, though, is proud to be queen and proud to be carrying on what has become
something of a family tradition. Jayne may not have been queen, but she is heavily into
carnival.
She is chairman of the carnival committee - "although I will step down next
year" - and the meetings are held monthly in her house. She thinks it's because she
does a good fruit cake. "Out of a three-hour meeting we spend two hours laughing. We
aren't what I would call serious- minded in these meetings, but we do make decisions and
we do get things done - although how we ever achieve anything sometimes eludes me!"
But it isn't all down to the committee. There are 7,500 people in
Brighthngsea and, while not all individuals lend their support, many of the town's
organisations do. Come carnival week, and the local football club - Brightlingsea United -
the Brownies, Scouts, Boys' Brigade, Girls' Brigade, Rotary Club and police are right
behind the carnival committee.
This year carnival day is on Saturday, June 17. Carnival week begins the previous
Wednesday with a tug-of-war courtesy of PC Andy Thorpe, the Rotary Club's
"wellie-throwing" contest is on Thursday, and Brightlingsea FC's family disco on
Friday.
"Our aim is to get back to having a full week of events, which used to happen not all
that long ago," explained Jayne.
Those events fell by the wayside and, at one stage, Brightlingsea Carnival only meant the
carnival procession. But things are getting back to where they were, something Jayne
relishes.
"It is a tradition and I really don't want that tradition to change. I know many
others feel that way, too," she said. "As much as I like change, I am still a
great believer in traditions - especially Brightlingsea Carnival."
The carnival received a huge blow in November, 1998. One of the fund-raising events was
the annual fireworks' display. That year, the weather was so bad it never took place - but
the committee still had to pay for the fireworks.
"We had £4,000 in the bank - and it all went on paying for the fireworks. Of course,
it was never recouped." Which meant no fireworks' display last year - although if the
committee "fundraises like mad" it could be back in 2001 - and less cash for the
carnival.
"Up until then, our fireworks' night had been helping to support the carnival,"
said Jayne. "It always made between £3,000 and £4,000 profit."
Now, the carnival relies on the eight annual car boot sales. But there are no complaints.
The carnival is as strong as it has ever been - in other words, as strong as Jayne Chapman
and the rest of the committee.
While Brightlingsea sails forth, Ipswich, Maldon and Colchester will be without their
carnivals this year. For Colchester, it is a particular blow. At its height, more than 150
floats made up the Colchester Carnival procession. The start had to be staggered; the
route was four-deep with spectators. But not this year. The person who should have
organised it is no longer there, and no one has come forward to take over.
Maybe Colchester police demanding costly security measures is proving off-putting. More
likely, is there the inclination - as there is at Brightlingsea, Clacton, Coggeshall and
all the other carnivals which still manage to thrive - for the community to roll up its
sleeves?
"It isn't easy," declared Jayne. "Last year we came very close to losing
the carnival, but we were boosted by a good carnival day which boosted us
financially."
Cash will always be touch- and-go for all carnivals. Any new ideas on fluid- raising are
always gratefully accepted. "We also applied for a grant last year for the queen's
float from Brightlingsea Town Council but were refused. We've re-applied this year and are
hopeful."
She shrugs at the carnival's long-term future. "I really don't know. Of course I
would love to see it continue, and if the level of commitment which is currently shown not
only by the committee but by everyone involved, there won't be a problem. But..."
There is no guarantee. Yet Leanne's genuine excitement is proof there is another
generation hooked. Maybe one day it will be Leanane who is not to be messed with.
iris_clapp@essex-news.co.uk