A LONGSTANDING Harwich carnival is returning this month and on the lookout for volunteers.
The Harwich Guy Carnival, organised by the Harwich and Dovercourt Rotary Club, is set to take place and will poke fun at topical issues in a tradition known as guying.
The carnival is believed to have been started by the Royal Naval Shipyard apprentices in 1854 in conjunction with remembering Guy Fawkes.
It will be taking place in Main Road, Dovercourt, on Saturday, October 28, starting at Ainger Road at 6.30pm.
However, before the carnival takes place, organisers are on the hunt for volunteers to act as marshals during the procession.
A spokesman for the carnival said: “In its present form, it was restarted in 1956 mainly to raise money for the local community coach which took relatives of patients to Black Notley Hospital in those days.
“The money raised paid for this coach – fuel, upkeep. Drivers were all volunteers which continued for a good few years.
“When Black Notley was no more, people used to go to Colchester Hospital.
“Cars were much more about – we raised the money and spent it [on good causes] in the local area.”
The spokesman also discussed some of the causes helped by the carnival in recent years include Harwich Home-Start, Mayflower School Library Bus, Boogie Shoes Theatre Workshop, Nest, Harwich Salvation Army, Harwich and Dovercourt Swimming Club, and disadvantaged children via the Rugby Club.
Wendy Taylor, whose family have a long history with the carnival, said: "The Harwich Guy Carnival was started in the 1850s by the apprentices of the Harwich Shipyard.
"It raised money for the low-paid apprentices and local charities. The parade consisted of large model ships and fancy dress."
Wendy said the carnival had a break through both World Wars and was restarted in 1956, which is when the 'bigheads' debuted.
She added: "They were introduced by the Marine Shops of Parkeston Quay.
"Geoff Stokes, my father was one of the original bigheads and danced along with the Marine Shops marching band.
"My dad taught me and a friend to make our first bigheads when I was 9 years old.
"I then went on to teach my own five children Laura, Becky, Dani, Beth and Josh how to make bigheads from a very early age and they entered the carnival in smaller scaled-down heads as soon as they were old enough to walk.
"Now they are all adults with husbands, wives, partners and children of their own, the group has grown massively.
"I also re-married and my wife, stepchildren and step-grandchildren have also joined in and learned how to make bigheads.
"We make new heads every year and aim to entertain the bystanders en route just as my dad did in the early days by dancing along with the band, nowadays this is usually loud music from one of the floats."
Among the other attractions include prizes to be won for costume and float entries including children’s fancy dress on Upper Dovercourt green.
Meanwhile, as it is school half-term leading up to the procession, children have the chance to show their creativity by making costumes for the carnival.
For more information, visit the carnival's website at harwichguycarnival.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here