Thursday 27th July 7pm
Charlestown Carnival
Pipers: Nigel, Alex, Miranda, Keith G, Felicity, Emma, John, David C
Drummers: Snare – Tom G, Eleanor, Tenor – Beth, Bass – Keith I
Support – Kelvin
The weather for the Carnival was pleasant, being dry and breezy and mostly sunny. This was the Kernow Band’s first involvement with the Charlestown Regatta week which is an annual tradition bringing the local community and visitors together in an incredibly full and varied programme. There was a variety of entertainment which included live music, competitions, raft races and water sports, and a flora dance procession. The dress code for the event was No 1s but it was decided to wear glengarries instead of bonnets because of the brisk wind.
It was a good turnout of members being 8 pipers, and 4 drummers and spirits were high as the band were ferried down to the village after leaving their cars at a member’s home. The crowded carnival route was packed with locals and visitors as the procession took off from the Carnival field led by the St Dennis Silver Band closely followed by the Regatta Queen and what seemed like hundreds of fancy dressers. There were fancy giant Bees dancing along and the Charlestown rowing gig followed and children driving tiny homemade jeeps, closely followed by the Bugle Silver Band, to name but a few of the participants.
The crowds were lively in their appreciation of the Pipes and Drums as they followed down the hill to the roundabout where the procession turned off the main road to come round in a circle and return up the road back to the playing field. Some members stayed to enjoy the tasty snacks on offer in the marquee and listen to the splendid music coming from the stage, others wended their way home to leave the crowds to enjoy more entertainment which included a firework show.
Tunes played during the evening included the following – Scotland the Brave/Rowan Tree/Wings/Bonny Galloway, Cockney Jocks/Rainbow Country/Bluebells of Scotland, High Road to Gairloch/Murdo’s Wedding/The Bonnie Lass of Fyvie.
It had been an enjoyable evening spent in the lovely carnival atmosphere in the picturesque village and the Carnival had been well organized and had started on time. The Band had looked impressive and been much appreciated as the crowds listened to the sound of the Pipes and Drums!
