“"We don’t remember days, we remember moments."

~ Carnival Royalty ~ Kings & Queens ~

~ 01 ~ Harwich & Dovercourt Bay Carnival - The Court (1934) H&D Newsman ~

~ 02 ~ Miss Dovercourt Bay (1928) H&D ~

~ 03 ~ Dovercourt Bay, Carnival Queen (1933) H&D ~

Dovercourt Bay Carnival Queen, Miss Hilda Dowling of Harwich (1933)

For much of the 1920's and 1930's, our local carnivals were major events and important tourist attractions to the local area. These were held in the summer as well as the "Guy Carnival" in the Autumn months. Fund raising, fun filled events included the appointment of a Carnival Queen each year, being one of the most popular activities and as can be seen here.
​These events were well supported and raised much needed funds for local charities, the effort that went into creating the floats and costumes was outstanding and makes you realise the creativity back then was second to none. The publicity was also impressive with special postcards printed each year for the winning carnival queens, two of which can be seen below (published and presented by the Harwich Newsman in 1933 & 1934).

~ 04 ~ Carnival Queen Hilda Dowling with Ladies in waiting (1933) H&D ~

~ 05 ~ Carnival Queen (1934) Newsman H&D ~

~ 06 ~ Carnival Queen & others in the Grounds of Cliffe Park, Dovercourt, Essex (1938) H&D ~

The Carnival Queen, Cliff Park, Dovercourt, Essex (1938)

For much of the 1920's and 1930's local carnivals were major events and tourist attractions to the local area. These were held in the summer as well as the "Guy Carnival" in November. Fund raising, fun filled events included the appointment of a Carnival Queen each year, this being one of the most popular activities and as can be seen here.
​The assemblage of  local dignities and organisations set in Cliffe Park against a backdrop of the Bandstand, shows that this was a semi-serious matter, that was sadly shadowed by the outbreak of the Second World War the following year.

~ Carnival Royalty ~ Groups & Players ~

~07 ~ Bernards Ladies Troupe, Harwich (1930) H&D ~

~ 08 ~ Marine Shop Band, Dovercourt Station (1934) H&D ~

~ 09 ~ Marine Shop Big Heads (1960) H&D ~

~ 10 ~ Marine Workshops Carnival Party, Parkeston Quay (1950) H&D ~

~ 11 ~ Nessie & Clan, Dovercourt (1978) H&D ~

 ~ 12 ~ No 1 Harwich & Dovercourt Summer Carnival (1922) Wallis H&D ~

~ 13 ~ The Mayflower Float, Dovercourt Bay, Essex (1936) H&D ~

​~ Carnival Programmes ~

~ Harwich & Dovercourt Bay, Essex, "Holiday & Carnival Week" (1959) H&D P01 & P02 ~

~ Harwich & Dovercourt Bay, Essex, "Holiday & Carnival Week" (1959) H&D P03 & P04 ~

~ Harwich & Dovercourt Bay, Essex, "Holiday & Carnival Week" (1959) H&D P05 & P06 ~

~ Harwich & Dovercourt Bay, Essex, "Holiday & Carnival Week" (1959) H&D P07 & P08 ~

~ Harwich & Dovercourt Bay, Essex, "Holiday & Carnival Week" (1959) H&D P09 & P10 ~

~ Harwich & Dovercourt Bay, Essex, "Holiday & Carnival Week" (1959) H&D P11 & P12 ~

~ Harwich & Dovercourt Bay, Essex, "Holiday & Carnival Week" (1959) H&D P13 & P14 ~

~ Harwich & Dovercourt Bay, Essex, "Holiday & Carnival Week" (1959) H&D P15 & P16 ~

​~ Comments, Contacts & Mail ~