© Joe Douglas. 2016
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The annual carnival was one of the years highlights in many towns and villages. The main features were the Floats, lorries and carts decorated to illustrate a wide range of themes. The ‘Standard’ floats were for the various Carnival, Flower and Snow queens for example with additional floats from local organisations or groups of neighbours, covered a wide range of subjects. Brass bands and dancing troupes were all there in the grand parade round the town. I particularly remember the huge cart from Thomas Armstrong (timber merchant) being pulled by two huge shire horses dwarfing their handler who walked between their heads with his arms reaching up to hold their bridles. All the horses harness, manes and tails were highly decorated to match the theme on the cart. and they really were a magnificent sight.
It was normal to join in other town and village carnivals. The bottom picture shows Sadie Cussons’ dance troupe from Cockermouth at Great Broughton Carnival in the early 1950’s.
Gypsy Queen 1949/50
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