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Echo Monday 23rd June 2008
Basildon Carnival success
CROWDS were treated to a colourful array of floats, dancers and majorettes at this year's Basildon and Pitsea carnival procession.
Clowns, dance troupes and pipe bands formed the backdrop as hundreds of people lined the route from Leinster Road, Laindon, through Basildon town centre and ending up in Northlands Park, Pitsea.
The Basildon carnival court proudly presided over the event, held for the past 50 years, and later ejoyed a fun day at Northlands Park, with live music, a tombola, marching bands, and a dog show.
Mum Emma Higgs, 22, of Laindon, said her family enjoyed the event.
She said: "It was a real spectacle. There was lots going on for the kids. They really enjoyed the clowns and the dancing that went on. It was a really good night."
Echo Friday 25th April 2008
Sarah is new queen of town's carnival
Carnival court queen Sarah Austin with princesses Charlie Coe and Amy Pinkney
A NEW queen and two princesses for the Basildon and Pitsea Carnival have been chosen.
Sarah Austin, 14, will be this year's queen, and Amy Pinkney, 12, and Charlie Coe, 13, will be the princesses.
The girls, all from Basildon, will appear at the carnival on June 21, and attend events across the country representing the town while raising money for good causes.
The procession, which starts at 12.30pm, will finish at Northlands Park where a fete, with stalls, bouncy castles and children's rides, will continue the party.
The carnival court was chosen by a panel of three judges on their personalities, dress style, looks and speech delivery.
George Coleman-Wood, chairman of Basildon and Pitsea Carnival Association, said: "The judges were very impressed with all three girls.
“Although they are all very young, they are very outgoing, streetwise and are fantastic speakers."
Mr Coleman-Wood, who has been chairman for over 25 years, added: "I am looking forward to carnival day and I hope this will be an event to remember.
"We want to see more people entering, because the more amusing floats, the better."
This year's carnival day will see a procession of floats, bands and majorettes, as well as the carnival court passing through Basildon town centre for the first time
Echo Sunday 24th June 2007
Basildon Carnival fun in the rain
By Nicola Fenn
THE weather did little to dampen people's spirits at Basildon Carnival.
Some put up their brollies to watch as the parade weaved its way through the streets, while many hung out of their windows to clap and cheer the passing floats.
The carnival queens didn't seem to care about getting wet, as they danced about on their floats to chart music and waved enthusiastically.
Lisa Threadwell, 34, was at the carnival with partner Chris Ward, 42, and their son Joe Ward-Threadwell, six.
Joe excitedly waited for his dance club High Kicks to come along the road and was proudly wearing a High Kicks hoodie.
Lisa said: "This is the first year we've been because we only moved from Waltham Forest to Vange a year ago.
"It's really good. It's a shame about the weather but everyone seems to be enjoying themselves."
The carnival is organised by Basildon and Pitsea Carnival Association and has been running since 1958.
Many former carnival queens joined in the fun on a open-top double decker bus, including Brenda Phillips from Wickford, who was queen in 1960.
The current Basildon and Pitsea Carnival Queen, Charlee Kenny, 16, and her princesses, Laura Gordon, 16 and Emma Booth, 15, supported the event, along with carnival queens from Southend, Wickford, and Corringham and Stanford.
Gemini Kennels K9 Dog Rescue, the Basildon Fire Service and miniature horses were also there.
The parade began in Leinster Road at 12.30pm and weaved its way through Markhams Chase, Great Knightleys, Laindon Link, The Gore, Ghyllgrove, Whitmore Way, before ending up in Northlands Park.
The park had turned into a muddy mess and hundreds of people turned up to enjoy music from Indie Rock band Acquiesce, giant inflatable rides and other entertainment.
It's carnival number 45 for George
By Mike Miners
All set for Sunday's big event - Basildon and Pitsea Carnival
A MAN who joined the Basildon and Pitsea Carnival team as a "general dogsbody" decades ago is still fighting for its future 45 years later.
As the colourful floats take to the streets on Sunday, George Coleman-Wood, 81, will join in the fun as the parade starts at 12.30pm in Leinster Road.
The ex-soldier signed up to help his local carnival back in 1962, after moving to Pitsea from London's East End and being captivated with his first carnival experience.
He felt he should help out his local carnival - and has been battling for its survival ever since.
"I actually joined as the secretary for the procession - probably better described as general dogsbody!" jokes Mr Coleman-Wood, of Harlech Close, Pitsea, now its chairman.
"Carnivals were much bigger in those days. I think TV and computer games mean people stay indoors these days.
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"The carnival has certainly had its ups and downs over the years."
An extra feature of Sunday's event will be an open-top bus, carrying former carnival queens in the parade.
George said: "One of the former carnival queens, Brenda Phillips, from Wickford, has just celebrated her golden wedding. She was queen in 1960 and will be joined by many of the other queens on the bus."
Basildon firefighters, miniature horses, the Exquisite All-Star Cheerleaders, Gemini Kennels K9 Dog Rescue, St John Ambulance and many other organisations will be represented in the parade, as will 12 carnival courts, including those from Southend, Stanford and Corringham, Wickford and Ashingdon.
Mr Coleman-Wood and his team of organisers work hard, but find it gets harder every year. The cost of hiring bands, closing roads, insurance cover and admin keeps on piling on the pressure.
However, Mr Coleman-Wood remains enthusiastic and is urging locals to and get behind Sunday's event.
He said: "This carnival raises money for areas where the Government doesn't give money, for example providing extra things at Basildon Hospital."
l The carnival route starts in Leinster Road and runs along Markhams Chase, Great Knightleys, Laindon Link, the Gore, Ghyllgrove and Whitmore Way, ending in Northlands Park.
Evening Echo 03/05/2007
Meet Queen Charlee
THESE three teenagers have been chosen to lead this year's Basildon and Pitsea Carnival.
All eyes will be on carnival queen Charlee Kenny and princesses Laura Gordon and Emma Booth when the parade is staged, on June 24.
The carnival court was picked by three judges to front the carnival committee's fundraising efforts for the coming year.
George Coleman-Wood, chairman of the Basildon and Pitsea Carnival Association, said: "We're expecting yet another fantastic year.
"We already have 30 entries from groups wanting to take part and for the first time we are hoping to track down former carnival court members to join in the parade, too."
Queen Charlee, 16, of Glenmere, Vange, is a pupil at Barstable School. She plans to go on to Seevic College, Thundersley, in September to study childcare and eventually hopes to run her own nursery.
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Her two chosen charities for the year will be St Luke's Hospice and Breast Cancer Research.
Princess Laura, 15, of Long Riding, Basildon, is a prefect at Barstable School and hopes for a career in nursing. She says she is looking forward to travelling to new places and meeting people with the carnival court.
She has nominated the NSPCC as her charity.
Fellow princess Emma Booth, 15, of Mellow Purgess, Laindon, is a De La Salle School pupil.
She said she was proud to be chosen as a princess, following in the footsteps of her sister Kayleigh, who performed the same role in 2000.
Carnival royalty - queen Charlee, flanked by princesses Emma, left and Laura, right
Evening Echo 11/07/2006
Tiffany's Triumph
Basildon and Pitsea carnival queen Tiffany Searle has added another trophy to her collection.
Chalvedon schoolgirl Tiffany was named Queen of Queens at Hornsea Carnival in East Yorkshire, beating off the challenge of more than 20 other queens from all over England.
The 16-year-old, who is due to start studying psychology, law and politics for A-level in September, won the title at what was just her second competition.
Tiffany said: "It was the first competition I've won since I became queen in May and only the second carnival I've been to since then, so obviously I am really pleased.
"The first carnival I went to, in Ashingdon, I came fourth, so to win was a real thrill.
"I had to make a speech, answer some questions and perform a curtsy for the judges and luckily, they liked me the best."
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Tiffany, who was carnival princess last year and hopes to be deputy queen next year, also appeared at the Witham Carnival and in Bexhill in Sussex at the weekend.
She will continue to appear at carnivals and other events across south Essex until next summer.
Carnival association chairman George Coleman-Wood was thrilled by Tiffany's success.
He said "We are so happy for Tiffany and the other members of the court, because it is always a great honour to go to another carnival and be named the Queen of Queens.
"The girls put in a great deal of hard work and this is a reward for that.
"Hopefully, it will not be the last competition Tiffany wins during her year as queen."
Evening Echo 26/06/2006
Party atmosphere greets Carnival crowds
A party atmosphere greeted the crowds who turned out for Basildon and Pitsea Carnival.
Around thirty floats made their way from Gloucester Park to Northlands Park through cheering hordes enjoying the festive atmosphere on Sunday afternoon.
The procession wound its way through The Gore, Ghyllgrove, before going the whole length of Whitmore Way, passing through Felmores, Burnt Mills Road, then Davenants, before heading back across Felmores and ending in Northlands, where a family fun day went on until 4pm.
Among the floats on display were carnival courts from across the county and the Essex Pearlie Drama Queens dressed in all their regalia.
Organisations came from as far afield as Dover and Deal to take part in the procession.
People took advantage of the warm weather to line the streets.
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John Whaley, 61 of Whitmore Way, Basildon, was one of many who enjoyed the occasion.
He said: "It's great to see so many Basildon people out cheering on the carnival. It's something to celebrate and why not?
"There are always a lot of people here from all ages. It brings the town together for the day."
Heather Reyol, 37, of Wickford Avenue, Pitsea, added: "I always come down because it's a lot of fun and it's great to see people enjoying themselves. So many people come out for this and it's a good tradition for the town."
A carnival has been taking place in Basildon since 1958, and in Pitsea since 1986. The pair came together in 2000 to form a joint event.
Evening Echo Monday 20th Jun 2005
It ain't `arf hot for our carnival capers
Basildon was hit by carnival fever when the annual extravaganza descended on the town's sun-drenched streets.
Crowds lined the pavements to catch a glimpse of carnival queens and princesses during the parade of floats which started off at Chalvedon School winding its way via Felmores and Ghyllgrove to Gloucester Park.
Revellers were greeted by funfair rides, stalls and a whole host of other entertainments on one of the hottest days of the year so far when they reached the park.
Among the procession were the Basildon Carnival Court, made up of princesses Tiffany Searle, 15, Jazmin Soper, 16, Poppy Soper, 13, and Carnival Queen Jennielyn Musk, 16.
Last year Jennielyn went on a trip to the Arctic Circle with BBC TV's Newsround programme.
She said: "It's absolutely boiling and a bit of a contrast to the Arctic!
"We're having a great time and it's brilliant to be raising all this money for charity.
"It's great the sun is shining as it means more people have come along."
Other carnival courts had travelled from as far afield as Sandwich, Folkestone, Deal and Enfield to take part in the day.
Members of Wickford's Carnival Court were accomponied by a mascot, their green parrot Zazu.
Their Carnival Queen Reianne Lowe said: "This is our second year at the carnival and easily the hottest, but we're having a great time.
"Our parrot will be OK, we've got a bottle of water to spray over him."
Members of the Essex Youth Performers group based in the Vange Hill Community Centre were walking round the procession route singing renditions of musicals, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Bugsy Malone.
Their production manager Alex Ingram said: "This is our first time at the carnival and we're thoroughly enjoying it. There are 32 of us and it's been great fun."
Brian Jiggens, of Kenneth Road, Pitsea, was dressed as a sheikh and was collecting money for Basildon Disability Information Advice Line (Dial).
He said: "It's very hot and I'm going to boil but it's all worth it as I'm collecting for a very good cause.
"Dial helped me a lot when I caught meningitis and I'm trying to raise awareness that people are entitled to claim benefits which they often don't know about."
The Basildon and Pitsea Carnival has been running since 1958 and is organised by George Coleman-Wood.
He said: "It's been one of the hottest years ever, it's almost too hot, but we can't complain as it's better than rain."
The day was rounded off by a disco at Pitsea Leisure Centre for all the participants in the carnival.
Money raised from the street collection will be split between a number of local charites, including a nominated ward at Basildon Hospital.
Evening Echo Tuesday 4th Jun 2002.
Hats off for the carnival crowd
Hundreds filled Basildon's Gloucester Park as the town enjoyed its own bank holiday celebrations.
The annual Basildon and Pitsea Carnival involved a cavalcade of floats which travelled from Chalvedon School in Wickford Avenue, Pitsea, and finished up ready for the festivities in the park.
There dog trials, inflatables and carnival courts from across Essex provided a wealth of entertainment for holidaymakers determined to enjoy the jubilee celebrations.
And there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Sue Cooke, 52, from Laindon, said: "We all enjoyed it. I brought my grandchildren and they loved it. They especially liked the bouncy castle but I managed to drag them away because I wanted to watch the dog trials."
Becky Bennett, from The Upway, Basildon, said: "It was a good day out for the kids. We took my daughter Katie and she loved every minute of it."
Leading the procession - Wickford Youth Band
Sheila Benford, vice-chairman of the National Carnival Guild, made a special appearance at the festivities with the Hornsey Carnival Court.
Sheila said: "It all seems to have gone very well and the carnival court has also enjoyed the day."
Evening Echo Thursday 17th Feb 2000.
Basildon: Carnival will return
Basildon Carnival is to keep on running - into the streets of Pitsea and Vange.
Responsibility for the annual Basildon event has been handed over to Pitsea and Vange Carnival Association.
Since 1991 the Lions Club of Basildon has been organising the Basildon procession but failed to hold one last year because of new rulings which involved applying for road closures.
Carnival king, George Coleman-Wood, who has organised carnivals in the district for more than a quarter of a century, said today he was "glad to have Basildon back."
A meeting of Pitsea carnival committee members will be held to decide what changes to make, but it is certain that there will now be just one, bigger, better carnival in the district.
George, of Harlech Close, Pitsea, is now chairman of the Pitsea and Vange Carnival Association.
When he first moved to Basildon in 1955 only Pitsea held a carnival which set off from the Gun pub in London Road.
He got involved in what became the Basildon Carnival in 1962. He was chairman for 20 years until 1982 when he took up the Pitsea Carnival reigns once again.
The 75-year-old retired administration assistant, said the future success of the carnival lies with sponsorship.
He added: "You meet so many different people from every walk of life. Life today is really hum-drum so that's why it's great to put a carnival on once a year. Anyone can go round with a begging bowl but we raise money for charity and give people something back - a carnival!"
John Deleay of the Lions Club of Basildon said they were pleased the duty had gone to a committee with so much experience at organising saimilar events.
