|
Web Site is hosted by Pipm.com Web Site Maintained by Bridgwater Photos |
1978
"HORR-IENT EXPRESS"
Comedy is never an easy thing to portray, but situation comedy can pay off, even if you don't have a Morecombe & Wise in your carnival club. An example of this was when Jumbo Hooper was given the job of singing "Baby Face" in the Club's 1978 stage show entitled "X Cert". This may not sound funny until you dress him up in an extremely realistic Frankenstein costume, complete with a bolt through his neck, then fix him up with a special pair of boots with seven inch high soles. Now when Jumbo sang "Baby Face" the notes came from somewhere near his boots, but to combine the situation of Frankenstein singing this popular oldie, resulted in the most hilarious stage show that the Club had ever produced. The show featured such characters as The Mummy, Dracula's Bride, Hunchbacks, Dracula's, Witches, Werewolves and many more. We were to see a new landlord and landlady take over the now renamed "Valiant Soldier" Our new "mine hosts" had come down from Bristol where they had previously been managers at a local in the City center. The Club was a little concerned that things might not go as smoothly, but need not have worried, because Ray and Pauline also made it their business to help the Club in every way they could. The Forty-week Competitions continued to be a good source income to the Club, and an excellent relationship was built up with the members of staff at Chilton Trinity School where the Club Cabarets continued their successful run. Our Vice-Presidents had now grown to sixteen in all, with one common aim in mind, that being to assist the Club in any way they could. 1978 THE
STAGE 1st POSITION
All the horrors of Transylvania came to the Concert stage with the Club's 1978 song scene entitled "X Cert" The backcloth featured Count Dracula's Castle, with large bats flying around in the background. Stage props included such things as Dracula's coffin and the Mummy's Tomb. Basically the show was designed as a "send up" of horror characters with the result being that the member's portrayal of these people was vitally important to the success of the show.  The scene opened with the Club singing a real old carnival favorite entitled "Tonight's the Night", then "Monster Mash" supported by the Hunchback Male Voice Choir. This was followed by a rather excited Bob Tozer dressed as a witch dancing around a cauldron, while the Club sang "Bibidi, Bobidi, Boo" Then came a lively solo performance by Jumbo "Frankenstein" Hooper singing "Baby Face" to the bride of Dracula. The setting then changed to ultra violet light while the audience witnessed the dance of the skeletons, performed by Teresa Cummins and Joy, to "Shake, Rattle & Roll" The show was completed with a repeat chorus of "Tonight's the Night" The eerie surroundings combined with fine orchestration must have impressed the judges for they awarded the lads first prize, together with the White Hart Cup for the first time in the history of the Club. 1978 THE
CART 5TH POSITION
Aptly named the "Horr-ient Express", the Club's cleverly constructed ghost train was again one of the largest floats to be  seen
in the procession. On the front of the boiler could be seen a huge
skeleton head, while leering from the windows of the coach at the
rear of the train were all the horror characters waving to the crowd.
The steam hissing out of the pistons added to the train's general
effect, together with some 1600 light bulbs in blue and yellow which
really gave the float a spooky atmosphere. The Club thoroughly enjoyed
themselves, but we obviously didn't create much of an impression
with the judges, for they awarded us 5th place. Oh, well, it was
good fun! Officials
of the Club
PRESIDENTS: Mr. & Mrs. R. Marine CHAIRMAN: M. Wills TREASURER: C. Mockridge SECRETARY: R. Stoodley CAPTAIN: G. Dunster MEMBERS: A. Bawden, M. Bawden', D. Bell, P. Braun, K. Briffett, G. Chidgey, A. Clapp, G. Daughton, J. Dibble, K. Durant, P. Elson, J. Hooper, D. Horsey, F. Mead, B. Mullins, S. Payne, S. Paynter, T. Pickett, P. Smith, D. Stone, R. Tozer, J. Webb, D. West, K. White, K. Witts & S. Wood. TRACTOR DRIVER: G. Higgins ELECTRICIAN: B. Villis COSTUMES: Mrs. Bryant, Mrs. Dunster, Miss Gore, Mrs. Marine, Mrs. Mead, Mrs. Mockridge, Miss McSweeney, Wives and Girlfriends. STAGE CHOREOGRAPHER: Miss T. Cummins MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Mr. T. Winter HELPERS: B. Baker, T. Blake, M. Biddiscombe, T. Upham, A. Trunks & P. Winter. 1978 Road
Results
BRIDGWATER NORTH PETHERTON
SHEPTON MALLET
GLASTONBURY WESTON-SUPER-MARE 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) |