Colebrooke Carnival

The first week in November marks the centenary of Colebrooke’s first and only carnival. In 1925, the sports committee organised the event to raise funds for repairing the church tower. The tower had been declared unsafe for ringing because the pinnacles at the top were loose, and the structure needed extensive repointing.

The Fundraising Plan

My father and some friends, all members of the sports committee, either hired or procured a barrel organ, which they carried around the district in the back of Ern Hutchings’ car.
The collection team included (from left to right):

• Wilf Dart (North Down)
• Ern Hutchings (Great Wotton)
• Albert Salter (Broomhill)
• Albert Enderson (my father — wearing one of his grandmother’s dresses!)

Their photograph was taken in Crediton on the morning of the carnival.

Saturday, November 7th, 1925

Twelve tableaux — some horse-drawn — lined up at Colebrooke, accompanied by numerous walking “guys”. The parade was led by:

• Wilf Dart as an African chief
• Will Gregory of East Studham as a Bengal Lancer
• Jack Gillard of Pennyland as a Mountie
• Charlie White of Bear Street (near Butsford) as another African chief

The Crediton Town Band headed the procession as it left Colebrooke, passing through Penstone before arriving at Coleford, where stalls and sideshows had been arranged.

The Famous “Water Otter” Sideshow

One sideshow, created by William Tucker of Spencers, Coleford, caused great amusement. For a small donation, visitors were invited to:

“Walk right in and see a real live water otter!”

Inside, however, they found only a kettle on a Primus stove. Visitors quietly exited through the back — until late that evening when a rather inebriated man from the New Inn threw the “otter” out into the street, ending Tucker’s creative fundraiser!

Popular Tableaux: Everybody Works but Father

This crowd-pleaser was created by Miss Mounsden, assistant teacher at Colebrooke School. It featured:

• Children busy with pots, pans, and brushes
• An older man asleep in a chair

The children are pictured at the school gate with Miss Mounsden, waiting to board their tableaux.

The “Our Jazz Band” Performers

Among the walking groups was Our Jazz Band — older schoolboys directed by headmaster Mr Mabley. Earlier in the day, they had performed around the district.

Later that evening, the Crediton Banjo Band provided music for a dance in the schoolroom, which had been rearranged for the event. In a tea break, the Chulmleigh handbell ringers gave a delightful exhibition of change ringing.

A Successful Outcome

Thanks to the community’s efforts, Colebrooke church bells rang out again in February 1926 at a thanksgiving service for the completion of the tower repairs.

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© Neville Enderson Local community history — preserving memories of Colebrooke’s heritage.