Saturday 22nd August
Port Isaac Carnival
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Pipers: Nigel (Pipe Major), Alex, Tom G, David C, Felicity, John C
Drummers: Snare – John R, Eleanor, Tenor – Fred
Port Isaac was a lovely venue for Saturday’s Carnival, a traditional fishing village, its Harbour surrounded by picturesque high green cliffs and fields with quaint cottages in their fold. A picture postcard setting, the area is widely known as Port Wenn in the Doc Martin television series, as it is here the series is filmed and the Doc Martin house/surgery can be seen across the Harbour with a light shining inside.
Considering that most of the County had experienced heavy rain overnight and the forecast for Saturday was rain, it was expected that the sun would probably not shine that day. But it was dry and the clouds were high and light. The dress code was Day Dress with the option of capes if it did rain.
The Band Members warmed up as the Carnival field was filling up with the Parade participants. The Band had requested they take the last position as they could then fall out and play by the Church as in previous years. The Carnival started on time at 18.30 with the Tarka Pipes and Drums leading and the Parade turned into the long sloping hill down to the village. Also taking part in the Carnival were 5 members of the Jumping Out Jazz Band, fancy dressers, Fairy Queens, various themed Floats, the Lifeboat and Fire Engine to name but a few entries. The roads were very crowded and the locals and visitors cheered in appreciation as the Kernow Band played. The Band formed a circle in the Village and played for 15 minutes to a crowded square after which there was more cheering and clapping in appreciation.
After dismissal at 19.00 hours the Members continued down the steep hill towards the Port Isaac Harbour where they stopped for refreshment before walking back to the Carnival field and their cars. An hour later and the heavens opened raining down with a vengeance.
Tunes played during the evening included the following – Highland Cathedral, Last of the Great Whales, Green Hills/Battles O’er, Scotland the Brave/Rowan Tree/Wings/Bonny Golloway, Scotland the Brave/Mairi’s Wedding, Cockney Jocks/Rainbow Country/Bluebells of Scotland. It had been an enjoyable Carnival in a lovely part of the County.
