CARNIVAL FLASHBACK 1892

BRAMLEY CARNIVAL 1892

A happy, joyous, carefree event you might think. Well yes – up to a point but it wasn’t always quite the case, as you will see … In the 1700’s a number of Friendly Societies had been set up in Bramley to provide support for working people (rather like a form of insurance). This meant that providing you were a regular paid-up member of one of these Societies, and had the bad luck to fall ill, then financial help would be given to yourself and family. Similarly, if you had the misfortune to die then help would be given towards payment of your funeral expenses. These Society members paraded proudly and annually in Bramley, following which event they would go to either church or chapel where a service would be held. Following this more serious part of the proceedings a feast of both food and entertainment would follow, which was enjoyed by all. That is, until an occasion in the mid 1800’s when two such Societies met head-on, and neither would back off. The Bands leading each group of walkers tried to outplay each other by playing not just longer but also louder, following which the event was subsequently named “The Bramley Clash”. Rumour has it that there was much scuffling between the rival factions – things really haven’t changed much, have they? It must have been decided that this state of affairs could not continue, as in the late 1800’s records show that Bramley Carnival came into being – certainly 1892 shows a Mr. J.J. Binns as its President and a Miss Ethel Gaunt having the honour of being the Carnival’s Queen, when a sum of £30 was collected from onlookers and given to the Workpeople’s Hospital Fund. Not only did the event of Carnival give a great deal of pleasure to the people of Bramley and surrounding areas, but the money collected provided valuable support for both the “Workpeople’s Hospital Fund” and also “Leeds General Infirmary”. Records show that as far back as the year 1900 the princely sum of £330 was donated to the “Workpeople’s Hospital Fund” – a really huge amount in those days!

BRAMLEY CARNIVAL 1937

A Carnival Queen was chosen from the young teenagers of Bramley; which was considered to be a very great honour. “Britannia” too had to be chosen to fulfil this role. Like the Carnival Queen, she too had a long white dress complete with Union Jack emblazoned shield, trident and headdress. Like the Carnival Queen, who was accompanied by other prettily clad young ladies, plus pageboys (not so prettily clad - they were no doubt pleased to say); she was accompanied by young boys dressed in sailor outfits. The Carnival procession started off from Elder Road (Back Lane) and proceeded onto Stanningley Road to Town End, then along Town Street to Broad Lane and “The Globe”, and from there it went to Bramley Baths, turned around and went back almost the whole of the route, but stopped short when it turned into the ‘Barley Mow’ Field. Here all the floats would go around the field and be judged in their various categories. The floats were all ‘themed’, and some of the names given were – ‘A Wedding Scene’ (complete with cake), ‘The American Wild West’, ‘Miss Lavender’, ‘Mirth & Melody’, and many more. The youngsters in particular used to love entering the Fancy Dress competition and participating in the many games, etc. which were organised for them once they reached the ‘Barley Mow’ Field.

BRAMLEY CARNIVAL 1946

After the Second World War had finished (during which time there were no Carnivals) they year of 1946 saw the return of the event when it was the 51st to be held. Our photograph shows that year's 'Queen', about to be crowned, to her right the 'Retiring Queen' (out of view behind the Lord Mayor) with 'Miss Bramley' (seated) to the right of the Lord Mayor. To the right of the picture sits 'Britannia' with her trident and accompanied by her sailors and, next to her is 'Miss Industry'. The days of having a Carnival Queen and Britannia only, had changed in recognition of Bramley people doing their bit, and also those inhabitants who worked in Bramley's many industries to help the war effort. Another Society member appears on this photograph. The Society feels that many readers will have their own special memories of this now sadly discontinued annual event. But, for those of you who are relative newcomers to Bramley, or who maybe left the area years ago, it is hoped this article will have either given you an insight into life as it was, or reminded you of what was a very popular and well-attended event in the Bramley calendar.

BRAMLEY CARNIVAL 2006

Bramley Carnival was in the Doldrums for 10 years then Community orientated Terence Knapton and Helen Garrand came along to revive the Bramley Carnival. 2006 finally came along after the Bramley Carnival was in the Doldrums for 10 years Terence Knapton came up with the idea to run Bramley Carnival and went to see Local Councillors to put the rinsatement in place all was agreed and we took t the streets of Bramley yet once again, Terence has many years of working with Children from Barnados, Ymca, Air Trainin Corp where he was a Civilian Instructor he taught many people how to make Model Aeroplanes from Free light to Radio Control, He has spent years doing the Duke of Edingburghs Award where he was teaching people skills in this field, He is also a great Mentor where he supported Barnardos. Terence has also worked with West Yorkshire Police in the 1980's where he was helping to run various Youth Clubs in the Leeds area, Terence was a first class DJ. He was also on contract to Mcains Chip Factory in Scarborough where he managed the Christmas Discos for Staff and their Children. Along came Helen Garrand who joined us and was granted the position of Secretary for Bramley Carnival, she does a splendd job in this role, Helen has been with since we started back in 2006. Helen is a former Nurse with 22 Years Experience in Neuology, Helen plays a vital part to Bramley Carnival and during the 5 years that I have known Helen we are now classed as Partners. We do have other agencies involved with Bramley Carnival we have Lee Ingham from Bramley Elderley Action Lee is one of the two Treasurers that we have Christine Butterield is the Main Treasurer, we also have Jum Turner inboard from the Leed Youth Service, we also have Charlie Pyratt from Priesthorpe Sports School, We also have Diane Law from Barca in Bramley who plays a vital part to Bramley Carnival. We also now have the Bramley Schools Cluster involved with Bramley Carnival Bramley Schools Cluster consits of 10 schools locally. We also have Pauline Ward who plys a vital part of Bramley Carnival Pauline was in charge of the Moorside Community Project. Since the revival of the Bramley Carnival Terence Knapton has managed to win the Service To The Community Award in 2010 he was awarded a Bottle of Champagne, Glass Trophy and a Certifcate this was sponsored by the Yorkshire Evening Post and Flybe.com Terence invited the Secretary of Bramley Carnival who apparently his he's Girlfriend Terence Knapton and Helen Garrand both went to the Hilton Hotel in central Leeds we had a very good reception including a 5 course Dinner, It was just like been at the Baffa Awards. Thank s to the Yorkshire Evening Post Newspapers Group.