Patrons

People that made Shaftesbury Carnival what it is today...

Ray & Chris Humprhies

Over the past years, touching three centuries, the people of Shaftesbury and surrounding villages and towns have been treated to a fantastic show most years,( Covid spoiled the “ every year “ ) when the carnival has come to town.

Obviously not happening by magic, a hard working and loyal band of people, the carnival committee, have worked with hundreds of local people each year, to put on a carnival that brings enjoyment to thousands, and in the process raises useful funds for deserving local organisations and groups.

This fundraising is supported by events put on throughout the year, again put on by that hardworking committee, who give willing of their time and expertise to make things happen.

Two people who devoted most of their lives to Shaftesbury Carnival were Ray and Christina Humphries, known throughout the South and South West as Mr and Mrs Shaftesbury Carnival.

They held almost every role over their lives to the carnival, and indeed many other groups and organisations in the town, leading by example, sharing their amazing and vast skills in thing as diverse as building floats, marching in the band, putting up lights, being carnival queen ( Chris) although Ray was very well known for showing of his legs when collecting money in all manner of weird and wonderful things.

I have often shared the information that on carnival day Ray would change clothes at least five times, overalls for putting out the signage, posh suit to launch the children’s procession in the afternoon, band uniform for taking part in the parade, fancy dress for collecting, posh suit for the awards in the evening, and overalls again for closing it all down.

Chris would organise the entrants and the procession, organising the required formalities, trophies, working together with Ray as a team to make everything happen.

I have just scratched the surface here with the work that they both put in, it was phenomenal.

When they both came to the painful decision to hand over the reigns no one could begrudge them that, but the knowledge and experience they had could not be lost.

Accordingly, the carnival committee asked them if they would accept the position of patrons, firstly as a thank you, and secondly, when the group that had the hard task of taking over from them needed encouragement and advice, they knew that Ray and Chris would be there to help and point in the right direction.

Sadly, as is well known, in 2020 Ray, after a long illness passed away, leaving a great legacy, fond memories, and a community and family feeling a great loss.

Chris remains a patron, supported by her family who still willingly and traditionally give their time to carnival throughout the year, and indeed to many other Shaftesbury groups and organisations.

The serving Carnival Committee can feel comfortable in that if they need support, the patrons will be there for them
Derek

Cllr Derek Beer

Many of you know Derek as “the man from the peel” but for those who don’t know Derek is involved in many community organisations, standing alongside and supporting them.

Derek has been a part of the carnival committee for over 30 years alongside his good friends Ray and Chris for almost all of this time. Dereks’s ability to recruit and fundraise meant that even though he couldn’t part take in the carnival day he would work tirelessly behind the scenes.

Each year Derek would take it upon himself to tirelessly seek to collect sponsorship for the day totalling over £3000 each year, a feat in its self whilst working (more than) full time and as a councillor.

A Carnival tradition after each meeting was for few to pop to the local establishment (Ship Inn) to make sure the final points were always ironed out, personally this was the time friends bonded and came together to celebrate the success of many a good meeting and decisions made.

Derek was critical in recent years when Ray Humpries MBE and Chris Humpries took the hard decision to stand down as chair (a role he held for 45 years) Derek rallied the troops and gathered friends to take up the challenge of running the carnival. I will never forget the that night we all gathered in the meeting room at the Social club. The turnout was so great we ran out space and chairs! That just shows you the support for Ray and Derek was present.

Derek worked hard as the chair to set up an all new committee with new young leadership and help, Rich Mullins joined with Derek in 2017 to become joint chair to show Rich the ropes and guide Rich to status of Chairman.
Derek stood down as Chairman in 2019 and was formally invited to become a Patron, Derek to this day is still involved on the committee and helps where he can.

Without Shaftesbury Stalwarts like Derek this event would have slipped away like so many others. We hold upmost gratitude for all he has done and continues to do for us.

Rich Mullins - Chairman

Heather Sanger

Text to follow

The Carnivals History

Shaftesbury Carnival has a long standing history on the top of the hill. Starting in 1877, the carnival continues to this present day to raise money for local charities year on year.

Shaftesbury’s hospital was opened in 1874 and dedicated to the memory of Richard, second Marquis of Westminster, by his daughter, Lady Theodora.

In 1910, with the hospital needing financial support if it was to continue to serve the town and local area, the Shaftesbury Carnival Committee dedicated the money it raised to the hospital and continued to do so for many years.

Image: 1910 Shaftesbury Hospital Carnival, Courtesy of Gold Hill Museum

In 1912 in the hospital’s annual report, the Committee stated that during the year there had been 123 medical and surgical cases including several accidents. Receipts for the year had been £627, nearly half of which came from donations and church collections. After expenses, a balance of just under £25 remained. The carnival donated £130 to the hospital.

Image: 1912 Shaftesbury Carnival Float, Courtesy of Gold Hill Museum

In August 1914 it was proposed that X-Ray apparatus should be installed, and money was deposited by the committee. However the installation was deferred till April 1919 because of the war, and six beds were added to the existing six to provide accommodation for sick or wounded soldiers. Nurses of the Voluntary Aid Detachment joined the staff. At the annual general meeting of the Carnival Committee in September it was decided to cancel the carnival for the duration of the war and find other ways to support the hospital, through street collections and church collections, such as at harvest festival services.

Image: Shaftesbury Hospital in the 1900s. Courtesy of Dorset Life

The annual general meeting of the hospital committee was held in July. During the past year there had been 131 patients, 82 being medical, 39 surgical and 10 accidents. The hospital had difficulty in maintaining its income due to the war, but welcomed the gifts of fruit and vegetables it had received. The Girls’ High School had collected a good quantity of donations for its ‘Pound Day’. The Carnival Committee donated £50 from its reserves and £25 from the carnival fete in lieu of carnival receipts. The hospital’s deficit was over £63, but this was due to increased expenditure rather than decreased income.

Image: Shaftesbury Girls High School © Gold Hill Museum

1916
An unusual fund-raising event took place in June. A goat, until recently the mascot of the 7th London Regiment stationed at Sutton Mandeville camp, was auctioned at Shaftesbury Market to raise money for the hospital, and realised £22.
1918
The annual general meeting of subscribers was held in January, and sorrow was expressed for the loss of four significant members in the past year. Improvements had been made to the hospital sanitary arrangements, and a bathroom installed for staff. House-to-house collections and harvest festival receipts were supporting the hospital well, and it was in a financially healthy position.

Image: The 3/7th London Regiment (the Shiny 7th) were based at Sutton Mandeville until the start of August 1916 and several of the men in the picture have Shiny 7th cap badges. Courtesy © Toby Green / Sutton Badges

1919
New sponsors came forward, such as the Farmer’s Club in 1919, who donated £721 (equivalent to over £57,000 in 2017) that year and the list of subscribers and church collections ensured that the hospital managed financially.
1920
The carnival was revived and moved from November to the end of September, losing its links with Guy Fawkes Day.

Image: This is Shaftesbury Band in the Carnival Parade circa 1920's (judging by the boys dress in the right left hand corner) in Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. Courtesy © Karen Satterthwaite [nee Tucker)

In October 1925, the Western Gazette reported on an excellent carnival, with a day of revelry for hospital funds and splendid tableaux in a torchlit procession. Hundreds of visitors came to the town to enjoy the spectacle. Cars and other vehicles were held up by ‘highwaymen’ carrying blunderbusses. At the entrance of the Picture Palace cinema on the High Street there was a confetti and fruit stall, and Hine and Parsons’ yard was transformed into an orange grove. In the procession, the most impressive float was ‘The Queen of Sheba’ with gorgeous costumes.
Image:
Shaftesbury Town Band - circa 1920's
Courtesy © Karen Satterthwaite [nee Tucker)

The Donhead Boy Scouts presented a historical scene, ‘King Alfred and the Cakes’, and Motcombe’s jazz band brought up the rear, rending “the air with weird noises”! There was a football match in the afternoon between Shaftesbury and Bournemouth Gasworks.The evening procession was led by the police, followed by the hospital float, the Comrades’ Band, “seven or eight characters on horseback” and the ex-Servicemen’s Club. The Boy Scouts and Women’s Institute members were busy collecting donations. In the evening there were two concerts and a dance in the Stalbridge Hut. One of the biggest money raisers was the Hospital ballot, or raffle.Donations in total for 1925 amounted to £500.

Image: Hospital Carnival 1926,outside The Stalbridge Ex-Service Hut on Bleke Street
Courtesy of Gold Hill Museum

Hospital Carnival 1926, Outside the stal

Shaftesbury Carnival 1930's, on 'The Commons' (St.Peter's Parish) Parade shows councillors & fire brigade.

Image:
Courtesy © Karen Satterthwaite [nee Tucker)

Another group in the Shaftesbury Carnival around 1934. The girl looking at the camera is Pamela Mills. The others I can't recognise except for myself, because of the beards (Rick Freer)

Image:
Courtesy of Rick Freer

Shaftesbury Carnival 1936 or 1937
Cedric Free; Cecil Glaze; Pamela Mills; Stephen Ruter; Morley Simms;
Douglas Hayter (Friar Tuck); Geoffrey Hiscock; Raymond Stretch;
Michael Williams; Nancy Stone (Little John); Ian Tate.

Image:
Courtesy of Rick Freer

Shaftesbury Carnival 1936 or 1937
Andrew? Rutter; Colin Bealing; Colin Tate; Michael Williams;
Cedric Freer; Peter Alum; Morley Simms; Cecil Glaze

Image:
Courtesy of Rick Freer

Shaftesbury Carnival circa 1954 -afternoon procession on High Street (St.Peter Parish). Again the Shaftesbury Town Band. My Father, Michael TUCKER is is on side drum - right of pic 1st row 4th from front, my great grandfather, Victor TUCKER on basedrum in centre of picture

Image:
Courtesy © Karen Satterthwaite [nee Tucker)

Article re-produced by kind permission of the Gold Hill Museum

Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury, 1871-1971, published by The Salisbury Group Hospital Management Committee and The Shaftesbury and District Historical Society
Ray Humphries, Brief History of Shaftesbury Carnival, and photos
Western Gazette, selected articles, 1912 to 1925

Gold Hill Museum

Karen Satterthwait (nee Tucker)

Rick Freer