The last event of the Pewsey Carnival year saw a compendium of local musical talents - headlined by Kennet Vale Brass conducted by Mark Harvey – treat a near-capacity Bouverie Hall to a fittingly rousing finale. In support were the Pewsey Male Choir directed by Nel Frank and accompanied by Kim Bott, and the choristers of St.John the Baptist, Pewsey led by Cheryl Underhill.  Front of house and interval refreshments were organised by the Zixex Club.

KVB entertained and impressed throughout five sets that ranged from film scores through Glen Miller and the Beatles to the contemporary African notes of Abdullah Ibrahim. Their closing numbers to each half of the programme will live long in the memory – firstly, a spirited rendition of Zorba’s Dance which had the audience dancing in the aisles and a final John Lennon tribute medley performed in full Sergeant Pepper regalia to reprise their excellent float from this year’s procession (pictured above).

The variety offered by each choir in their respective performances was no less impressive – the church choir ranged from traditional hymns based on themes from Sibelius and Pachelbel to Zimbabwean folk song, while the male voice choir sang arrangements of familiar popular songs and closed with their public debut performance of the evocative negro spiritual Steal Away.

As stated in the closing remarks, it was gratifying that monies had been raised towards carnival charities but equally important to know that a Hall full of people had thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the process!

Interested in Joining?

Be assured that each of the groups involved would have a warm welcome should you wish to become involved in their activities and apart from the musical range the performers’ ages are also widely spread - from nine to ninety (… almost!).

Why not attend a rehearsal and see how you like it?

Kennet Vale Brass – follow this link to their website for further info.

Pewsey Male Choir – rehearsals Mondays at 8.00pm, Royal Oak

St.John the Baptist Choir - contact Cheryl Underhill, 562584

Carnival stalwarts PVADS have their Spring Show ‘Allo ‘Allo ready to roll with performances at the Bouverie Hall on Fri 30th Aril, Sat 1st May, Fri 7th and Sat 8th May, 7.00 for 7.30pm … and you can buy your tickets online here!

I said this only once.

Amazing what you can find in the nooks and crannies of the interweb – a blog I stumbled upon had this picture of the Carnival Concert in 1947.

Perhaps we should offer a prize for anyone who can name who any of these young troupers might be, mostly born in late 30s / early 40s … contact

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

The Events Calendar – or top right of page – gives details of forthcoming events organised by PADFAC itself or as notified by associated local clubs, societies and charities. These include the following notable events (venue Bouverie Hall unless otherwise stated):

AUGUST

• Sat 8th, Noon till Midnight: Pewsey Music Festival - Coopers Field … click here for full details.

SEPTEMBER

• The big month itself! … check out the various links from the Events menu or the Calendar … these pages will be updated as and when further information is provided by the various organisers and/or services providers. If registered you can log in and leave leave questions using the comment box on any page so that a committee menber can get back to you; otherwise, use the email forms on Contacts / Feedback to get in touch with the committee.

Click image for details of Children’s Carnival Attractions

PVADS 2009 PANTOMIME

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Carnival stalwarts PVADS will be presenting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as their annual pantomime at the Bouverie Hall.

Dates: 16th, 17th, 23rd and 24th January, 7.30pm

Tickets: £5 or £7 available now by calling [01672] 810 436 or go to the PVADS web site for more information.

Enjoy!

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MAIN PROCESSION

Have Fun – Be Safe (not sorry) – Support Our Charities

Many thanks to all this year’s entrants for the forebearance – and in many cases innovation – they have shown in reponse to the revision of the various H&S, Insurance and Licencing regulations. Here’s wishing the thousand participants registered in advance every success in putting on a joyful and safe show for all!

Road Closures

The main roads through the village will be closed from 6.00pm to 11.00pm on Sat 20th Sept.

Car Parking

There will be clear signposts to Car Parks from all routes into the village (actual locations are still subject to weather/harvest conditions in some cases). Please respect the fact that some streets away from the procession route are coned off because they may be needed for emergency access.

All Entrants

No Entry on Day. Alcohol is prohibited on Assembly Field and Procession Route.

Please assemble in Carnival Field by 6.30pm, the layout has changed slightly so that vehicle drivers will have a clearer route. Please proceed as directed by Marshalls on entry to the field:

• Class 1-5 entrants: please bear right to the Checking Area where you will need to produce your Float Risk Assessment/Checklist (.pdf) and your proof of Insurance to enable the organisers to sign-off (no insurance = no go). Only Float Safety Stewards shall walk alongside floats in Classes 1-4 (NB: as a guideline, most carnivals / insurers use one person per square metre of free space as a safe limit for the number of passengers on a float).
• Class 6 entrants: please bear left to the Tagging Area and when all your group members have arrived make yourself known to the organisers and ensure that each person is issued with a tamper-proof security tag as their proof of entry to the route.

Due to the newly installed speed humps on the Wilcot Road one way system Float Constructors should note that the safety requirement for HARNESSES / RESTRAINTS to protect float passengers (as detailed in the Entry Criteria) will be strictly enforced.

Judging will commence at 6.45pm and at the same time the mandatory briefing for Float Safety Stewards will take place (probably in the Checking Area).

Procession starts at 7.30pm - proceed only as directed by Marshalls.

No pedestrian other than a bone fide Entrant, Carnival Official, Crowd Marshall or Float Safety Steward shall be allowed on any part of the route while the Procession is in progress.

OTHER NEWS

If anyone has any photos we could add to the PADFAC archives on this site please Register then get in touch using the ‘Comment’ facilty.

• Wheelbeero Race (18th Sept) - a splendid turnout of 194 teams and some fine ale on route courtesy of sponsors Three Castles; the Hasbeens three-man team is claiming a new record for a combined age of 175 years … we’d like to hear from any old-timers who think they beat that.
• Wine Race (11th Sept) - 2008 slideshows online! – thanks to J.Helps & D.Damper.
• TaVern TV – courtesy of PVADS … the word on the streets from folks who went to the opening night is “brilliant” … if there are any tickets left for the 26th or 27th we suggest you go get them now!