Saturday 2nd August
St Neot’s Carnival
Pipers: Nigel, Miranda, Keith G, Tom G, Chris, David C, Felicity
Drummers: Snare – James, Tom W, Tenor – Andrew, Fred, Bass – Keith I
Drum Major: Andrew
The venue was the lovely village of St Neot, the weather was sunny with a slight breeze and there was a good turnout of Band members for the event. The members met at 16.30 hours for a tune up in the village playing field adjacent to the St Neot Doorstop Green Garden which was built on private land and kindly donated in 2004. It was a pleasure to take a few minutes to stroll round the ornamental garden and enjoy its many facets with its amphitheatre, (used by the village children for events) the willow walk, large herb garden, seated areas, pergola and giant chess set.
Dress code was Day Dress with capes, which fortunately were not needed. Today was one young piper’s sparkling debut – her first outing – a breath of fresh air with the Band. 17.30 hours and the Band formed a circle and played to the crowded field for 20 minutes before Judging of the Carnival entrants took place. 18.30 hours and the Kernow Pipes and Drums led the Carnival followed by the St Neot Carnival Royalty (Fairy Queen and Attendants) and numerous children and people in imaginative fancy dress and floats. The narrow slightly undulating roads were full of revellers cheering and clapping in appreciation of the music and on arrival at the St Neot Primary School 15 minutes later, the Band formed a circle and played while the Carnival went on a little further before turning back.
Tunes played during the Carnival included the following – Amazing Grace, Highland Cathedral, Last of the Great Whales, Dark Isle, Green Hills/Battles O’er, Scotland the Brave/Rowan Tree/Wings/Bonny Galloway, Scotland the Brave/Mairi’s Wedding, Collin’s Cattle/Shoals of Herring, Cockney Jocks/Rainbow Country/Bluebells of Scotland, Waters of Kylesku/Skye Boat Song/Morag of Denvegan. Duets were played by pipers and the Drummers played a lively 6/8 rendition.
The Band rejoined the procession to lead it back to the very busy Carnival field and once there formed a circle to play for 20 minutes before dismissal. It had been a pleasant afternoon in good weather and company and some members stayed to enjoy the festivities still going on around them in the sunny atmosphere.
