The origins of Pewsey Hasbeens date back to the late 1970s when a group of footballers who were nearing their ‘sell by’ dates got together to play in a five-a-side league at Pewsey Sports Centre. The team was: Mick High, Rod Fishlock, Jimmy Sprules, Mick Hillier and Ken Claridge and they played under the team name of Pewsey Hasbeens. There were also over-30s tournaments and one of these was run by Pewsey Hasbeens annually on the Coopers field.

Oklahoma!

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Oklahoma!, Sept 2006

In later years cricket was played on the unpredictable Coopers field against other pubs and this gradually expanded and even developed into overseas tours – well … the Isle of Wight, where two games were played on one weekend!

The forerunner to Summer Cricket was the indoor tournament at the Sports Hall during winter months and if batting last, the first man out had to leg it to the Coopers to get the beers in before closing time.

The first large Hasbeens Carnival Float was built on a Brennans trailer for Pewsey Carnival 1990 and then stored at Milton Hill Farm until November when it took part in Bridgwater Carnival. The theme was Thunderbirds and there was a spinning spacecraft on a hydraulic ram which went high into the air containing Mick and Roddy. Mick Hillier was at the controls and frightened the life out of the others when he elevated them whilst on the river bridge and they feared they would be tipped into the river below. The float behind them had suffered a generator fire and had no lights at all, so a cable was quickly rigged from the Hasbeens generator which gave them a small amount of light! … “Elf’n'safety” would have loved that!

Colin Harris was recruited about that time along with Malcolm Webb. A large trailer was purchased and fitted out, and themes based upon TV shows, films and stage shows have been entered every year since (see list below).

Many Carnival events have been organised over the years. Who could forget the Dry Water Sports which was held on the Coopers field annually. The Fire Station provided the water, so it wasn’t dry at all and the local teams competed in some fairly dangerous events. Everyone enjoyed it, though we wouldn’t get away with it these days.

Then there was Rock Night in the marquee, again at the Coopers field. Some quite prestigious bands took part in that and it was a very popular event for many years. Later it was moved to the Bouverie Hall due to costs of marquee hire and band fees. It continued there for a while, but was eventually dropped.

Comedians Night was another favourite but after a few years that too was getting too expensive. People only have a certain amount of money to spend and ticket prices have to be kept at a reasonable level.

In 2007, a new event was started Carnival Karaoke and was quite a success, so will be repeated this year. So come along and give us a song or just come along for some fun.

Hasbeens Race Night is as popular as ever and every year the hall is filled with race goers, many in fancy dress, and everyone has a good time.

Before any of this can take place however a Carnival Queen and Royal Family have to be chosen and Hasbeens have been involved with this for many years together with Heather Lovelock – now ably assisted by the Party Animals.

One of the Hasbeens major events takes place in November and that is the Sportsman’s Evening now in its eleventh year. There have been many eminent sportsmen over the years and several professional men as well. The event has supported carnival but has also sponsored several local boys and girls trying to make names for themselves in their chosen sport. The first of these was Shelley Rudman who was first sponsored as a 300 metre runner. As we all know she went on to win an Olympic Silver Medal on the Skeleton Bobsleigh and is now starting the serious business of preparing for the next Winter Olympics in 2010. Donations are also made to local charities and children’s organisations.

• 2010 – Saturday Night Carnival Fever (2nd, Class 3)
• 2009 – Star Trek (Class 3 winners)
• 2008 – Oliver! (2nd, Class 4)
• 2007 – Another Brick in the Wall (2nd, Class 4 & Ron Oram Cup)
• 2006 – Oklahoma! (1st , Class 4)
• 2005 - 007: Bond-Age (1st, Class 4 & Ron Oram Cup)
• 2004 – Flash Gordon
• 2003 – Ghostbusters
• 2002 – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
• 2001 – Snow White & Seven Dwarfs (1st in Class)
• 2000 – Magic Roundabout
• 1999 – Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines
• 1998 – Wombles
• 1997 – Star Wars
• 1996 – Jungle Book
• 1995 – Dr Who
• 1994 – Flintstones
• 1993 – Alice in Wonderland
• 1992 – Hook
• 1991 – Wizard of Oz
• 1990 – Thunderbirds Are Go … here’s the proof that this was the year guys! … Bridgwater Carnival

Other Stuff

• Comedy Night
• Karnival Karaoke – introduced 2007
• Race Night - perenniel Carnival favourite
• Rock Night
• Cricket XI
• Gentlemen’s Evenings – fundraising with a sporting edge
• Wheelbeero Race – founder entrants and entered every year since