|
Web Site is hosted by Pipm.com Web Site Maintained by Bridgwater Photos |
1970
"Bridge over the river Kwai"
This was to be the year that the club rallied it old forces together with a considerable number of new and enthusiastic members. The result being that total membership reach some 30 people. It would be fair to say that not one person could really have visualized the impact that "Bridge over a the river Kwai" was going to have in that distant month of November. With a much higher percentage of young members in the club, successful dances were being run at the Blake Hall, featuring such popular names of that era as "The Nashville Teens". The financial situation had improved tremendously and as early as July, British soldier uniforms words being handed out to the members. It was requested of the lads that they should abuse these costumes in every conceivable way. The result being that brand new uniforms were buried in members back gardens, fat was rubbed in into shirts to give the effect of sweat, and in general all the costumes except those of the Japanese soldiers, were put on for the first night of the carnival concert in the most disgusting state ever among imaginable! 1970
stage 5th position
The members appeared on stage as if they had come straight from "The front". The show conveyed a sense of comradeship as the lads joined  in
such Poplar oldies as "Roll Out The Barrel" followed by "When
We Are All Together Again". Then came a solo by David "Taffy"
Hurford entitled "Roll Me Over In The Clover". At this stage
the show changed gear, with a heart rendering version of "Homeward",
and then into a number that is still very popular with the older
members after almost thirty years called "Land Of Begin Again"
which made a fitting end to a very enjoyable show. Stage props,
included such things as a cut out of the British Isles at the
back of the stage. This was painted in the colors of the Union
Jack. The cart
3rd position
 "The
Bridge" must have been one of the cheapest float built by the
club for a  considerable
number of years. The Forestry Commission were approached and
a deal set up with them to purchased the number of trees required
to build "The Bridge", after
which an allowance would be made on return of the trees to the
source of supply. The club was to enter the procession as the
last feature in Division Two. It was without any doubt the tallest
float and certainly the longest  of
the entire procession. It also conveyed the atmosphere and sheer
hell which the soldiers went
through to build this famous Bridge. The make-up of both the Japanese and British soldiers was especially effective. This, together with a striking shape in the form of lightning, resulted in third place for the club and also the Walter Hooper cup for the second time. Officials
of the club
President Mr. R Johnstone Vice presidents K Bell P Hancock, Mrs. P Reed, J Snook and R Storey. Chairman P Lewis Captain T Pickett Secretary R Stoodley Treasure C Hocking Competition secretary P Baker Road
Results
Bridgwater 1st Ramblers club "Minstrel Magic" 2nd Vagabonds club "The Witches" 3rd Commercial club "Bridge over the river Kwai" North Petherton 1st Vagabonds club "The Witches" 2nd Ramblers club "Minstrel Magic" 3rd Wick club "There Was An Old Woman" 4th Commercial club "Bridge over the river Kwai" Burnham and Highbridge 1st Commercial club "Bridge over the river Kwai" 2nd Ramblers club "Minstrel Magic" Equal 3rd Y M C A "Cossack Wedding" lime kiln club "Oliver twist" A humorous misquoted from a newspaper covering the result at Shepton Mallet "First prize in the open tableaux section was won by Bridgwater Old Farmers with their float entitled "Bridge over the river Kwai". This has already won several prizes at other carivals." We would not have minded if this reporter had passed us as Bridgwater young Farmers!!! Still, who knows, they may call us Bridgwater and District Scout troop next year! Shepton Mallet 1st Commercial club "Bridge over the river Kwai" 2nd Ramblers club "Minstrel Magic" 3rd lime kiln club "Oliver twist" Wells 1st Ramblers club "Minstrel Magic" 2nd Commercial club "Bridge over the river Kwai" 3rd not known Glastonbury 1st Commercial club "Bridge over the river Kwai" 2nd lime kiln club "Oliver twist" 3rd Ramblers club "Minstrel Magic" Weston-Super-mare 1st Ramblers club "Minstrel Magic" 2nd Wick club "There Was An Old Woman" 3rd Commercial club "Bridge over the river Kwai" One of the most controversial result of 1970 was to take place at Weston, with the Commercial club's entry being placed third in its section, then being awarded "Best Overall Float in the Procession,. It nice to see some things still don't change Footnote
A new Kenwood food mixer could be purchased at S.W.E.B.
for £6.00.
Marketeers would like to thank the CARNIVAL CHRONICLE WEBSITE GROUP for leting us use photos from the Bill Puddy on this page Taken from the book THE HISTORY OF MARKETEERS CARNIVAL CLUB 1960 - 1980 WRITTEN AND COMPILED BY DAVE STONE With grateful thanks to Bob Chidgey, Lyn Gore, Andy Bawden, John Williams, Malcolm Wills, Chris Hocking and Gerrard Dunster Without whom this book would not have been possible Transferred to the web By David Kirk Jnr (Jones) |