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At two recent meetings, our AGM and our Committee Meeting, we have honoured current members who have given more than 25 years of service.

11 members were awarded long services badges, the first time Carnival has handed out this special awards.

The badges were presented by Carnival chairperson Maria Foot and President Brian Norman. Maria said ‘I am very proud to have been able to acknowledge the time and dedication these members have given in their voluntary role for Swanage Carnival.’

Our longest serving member Dave Terrett has volunteered for Swanage Carnival for 44 years. A familiar face during the week he can also be heard promoting the popular Scruff’ Dog Show over the tannoy! Dave is responsible for initiating the Carnival bar, with just two tables in the marquee, a key feature of Carnival today. As well as this Dave also volunteers throughout the year as part of the bingo crew and helps to put up the Carnival marquee when it is hired out. It’s true to say Carnival wouldn’t be the same without Dave!

Laurence Sprigg has volunteered for Carnival for 40 years. Laurence is a former chairman of Carnival, following in his father’s footsteps who was also a past chairman. Over recent years he has overseen the layout, planning and booking of all stalls on Sandpit field. He also helps to install and maintain all the electrical equipment needed for Carnival week. Laurence regularly gives up his time throughout the year to make sure Carnival runs smoothly. In addition to this Laurence and his wife Linda organise the very popular children’s disco.

Diane Terrett has volunteered for 38 years. A former Carnival queen herself in 1972, Diane has committed many hours to Swanage Carnival over the years. Diane can be found volunteering in the Carnival caravan during the run up to Carnival and during the week itself. She also helps with many events and takes on the organisation Scruff’s Dog Show, one of the most popular events of the week. Diane is also a stalwart member of the bingo crew that runs bingo nights throughout the year, a Carnival commitment that goes beyond the week itself.

Anne Tomes has been a Carnival member for 37 years and has helped with so many events over the years. The first event she helped to organise was the popular wheelbarrow race which in the earlier days was much longer and you had to consume a beer and a Dorset Knob at each stop! Anne has always embraced the fun and games of Carnival and over the years she has been involved in organising some of the largest participation events at Swanage Carnival including the procession, the half marathon, Carnival fun run, tennis competitions, the biathlon and the popular Carnival swim.

Biddy Hardy has volunteered for 35 years. In the early years Biddy was part of the team who put the handmade bunting up all around Swanage. For 19 years Biddy was in charge of the Carnival Queens and Princesses, making sure an iconic part of Carnival ran smoothly and that those representing Carnival had a great time. Biddy has fond memories of past events such as Miller and Sweep, the sea pillow fights and rescuing the damsel. You’re sure to have heard Biddy’s voice during the week as she is one of our event comperes, most recently the voice of the Scruff’s dog show judging. She is also a regular bingo caller and another dedicated member of the bingo crew.

Andi Byrom is also a former chairman of Carnival and has volunteered for 33 years. Memorably during his time as chairman Andi agreed to do a bungy jump if at least £500 was raised for Carnival in one day, thinking the amount would never be reached. However, just a few hours later the target was smashed, and Andi was signed up for a bungy jump! Andi led the Carnival Arms bar with his wife Tracy for over a decade, taking on the physical construction of the bar as well as stocking and running the bar for eight days straight. He was instrumental in setting up midweek field day and Scruff’s dog show, and is also part of the marquee crew who help with putting up the Carnival marquee when it’s hired out for events.

Brian Norman is the current President of Swanage Carnival, a former chairman for three years and has volunteered a total of 32 years. Brian’s years of experience enable him to offer help and support to the committee and in particular to the exec team who take on key roles in organising Carnival. Brian is responsible for introducing a number of new events, including the 4 mile fun run, the Swanage Bay swim, pitch and putt and gig racing. You’ll always see Brian out collecting during the fireworks and it is also Brian who instigated the new long service awards to acknowledge the fantastic efforts of volunteers who have given so much time over the years, another legacy that we hope will continue for years to come.

Roger Crabb has volunteered for Swanage Carnival for 28 years. Well known to members for his antics and good humour during Carnival week. Winner of the ‘Donkey Award’ twice which recognises a memorable and often hilarious event during the week. Crabby, as he is known to the members, is usually seen behind the wheel of a Carnival van or pickup. He’s part of the backbone of the committee, collecting and delivering equipment around Swanage for the Carnival events. He’s also a member of the cone crew, who set out hours before the sun rises on Carnival Sunday putting in place the road closures for the procession.

Marcus Lambert has been a member of carnival for 27 years. Many will remember the banger bashing event at the back of the Red Lion, an event that was organised by Marcus. It was also his idea to create the collection drainpipe that reaches across pavements and up to the windows during the firework and procession collections. This is now a famous tool of the collecting gang who don their ‘flashies’ and light up the streets as they stroll around town collecting donations. Marcus has also always helped with lifting and shifting the hundreds of bits of Carnival equipment needed during the week.

Keith Dixon has volunteered for Swanage Carnival for 26 years. Although not resident in Swanage, Keith spends an entire week here every year running the busy office alongside our treasurer Mandy McDonald. Whether it’s counting coins from collection buckets or arranging floats for the various stalls or events, Keith is the key to the smooth running of this side of Carnival. Over the years Carnival has grown to such an extent that we are grateful for volunteers like Keith who make themselves available to help day and night throughout the whole of Carnival week. He might consider it a holiday, but we do know and appreciate how much hard work it involves.

Tricia Thompson has been a member of Carnival for 25 years. Tricia joined Swanage Carnival when she first moved here as a way to meet people and as it always seemed like fun. She remembers highs and lows of Carnival from the air show that was not the success anticipated, to the huge event the week has become. Tricia will say that she just helps in the background, but in reality she is a prominent member who helps with the kid’s go-cart grand prix and organises the darts competition each year, is a member of the procession team who help coordinate this mammoth Carnival event around the streets of Swanage, volunteers as part of the bingo crew and is also one of our welfare officers who is on hand during the week.

The roots of Swanage Carnival date back over 200 years and today is one of the few remaining traditional Carnivals on the south coast. Although we pride ourselves in maintaining long standing traditions of Carnival, we have also had to work hard to introduce changes in more recent years. Making Carnival relevant to new generations, meeting new requirements and most importantly ensuring that Carnival continues for many more years to come.

Many visitors to our events do not know (or believe) that Carnival is self-funded and organised by volunteers. Whereas in some towns large events are funded through local authorities or a corporate sponsor this is not the case in Swanage. We rely on generous donations from a number of local business and individuals to sponsor our more than 100 events. For this reason community is at the heart of Swanage Carnival and our thanks go to everyone who has supported us over the years. ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago