About US

and the History of
Fleet Carnival

Who are we?

Fleet & District Carnival is a local charity which has been a part of the community for almost 70 years. Our committee is staffed entirely by volunteers who dedicate their time to organise this much loved annual event bringing families and friends together whilst having fun and raising money for charity.

Meetings

First Monday of the Month
Lismoyne Hotel, Fleet or Online
7pm

History of Carnival

2022 – present day
In 2022 the carnival resumed its annual schedule once more, with local charities taking turns to
become the recipients of the fundraising efforts. It continues to this day.

2020 – 2021
After the long run of annual celebrations, the carnival was brought to a halt in 2020 and 2021
due to the covid pandemic.

1956 – 2019
In 1956 Fleet Carnival finally made a full time comeback. A week long timetable was planned,
various attractions were added to the agenda and a new recipient was chosen for funds raised.
The new look event was first held on The Firs Meadow in Crookham Road and featured special
guest Freddie Mills, the worlds light heavyweight boxing champion.

This time round, monies raised went towards a new Civic Centre for Fleet. It was thought that
this would be the only way to move things forward for the stalled project, forcing the local council
to begin the work once the amount raised had reached an “impressive amount”. A member of
the local council agreed that it was hopeless to expect them to fund a new centre alone and that
this would be the best way to ensure Fleet would have a new hall. Despite opposition from some
this was finally agreed and in 1972 the new Civic Centre was opened, with carnival funds
making up 10% of the final cost.

The new look carnival was held annually from that point until the covid pandemic hit.

1953 – 1955
Fleet Carnival needed something to kick start it again and in 1953 The Queen’s Coronation did
just that. A large event was planned with a timetable that included sporting events and dancing
along with a grand procession that included a carnival King and Queen.

With the end of war celebrations long gone, the festivities revived interest in an annual event.

By 1955 the Chamber of Trade were in talks about bringing a full-blown carnival back to Fleet
and by 1956 the town saw the start of the familiar, more modern celebrations, that we still see
today.

1950 – 1951
After the end of WW2, there was an outbreak of celebrations, street parties and events to mark
the return of peace but the first time a carnival was mentioned again was 1950. In this year
discussions took place about holding the event around the upcoming 1951 Festival of Britain but
despite a very positive response from the Fleet branch of the Royal Air Forces Association, the
idea was eventually abandoned due to a lack of support from local traders.

1939 – 1945
The Second World War ran from 1st September 1939 to the 2nd September 1945, putting an
end to all festivities once again.

1935 – 1939
Although other celebrations and smaller canal carnivals were held after the war, it wasn’t until
1935 that talks began once again about holding a full carnival in Fleet, this time to celebrate the
Silver Jubilee of King George V. Both Fleet and Crookham were eager to celebrate the event but
as each town had quite individual identities at the time and varying ideas about how to mark the
occasion, the decision was made to hold two different events over a two day period.

For the next four years a carnival was held annually with the last one being held in July 1939,
just before the outbreak of the Second World War.

1914 – 1918
On the 28th July 1914 war broke out across Europe, putting an end to all such events. World
War 1 ran until 11th November 1918.

1900 – 1914
In 1900 Britain was at war with the Boers in South Africa. The Second Boer War ran from 1899 –
1902 and many local communities, including Fleet, got together to raise funds for the war effort –
and that was how Fleet Carnival was born. The event was a huge undertaking for such a small
town at the time but it was deemed to be a big success with all funds raised being donated to
The Telegraph newspaper’s “Soldiers, Widows and Orphans Fund”.

After the war ended in 1902, Fleet held talks to arrange another Carnival. With no war fund to
support this time, the focus was directed at local good causes and to that end a fund was
established “for the relief of poor patient’s fees at the Fleet Community Hospital”. The event was
originally hoped to be held in June along with celebrations for the coronation of Edward VII but
the Coronation Committee weren’t keen on combining the two events, so it was arranged for
September instead. Ironically the Coronation had to be postponed due to the King suffering from
appendicitis and wasn’t held until August, so the two events weren’t that far apart anyway.

The carnival had a very different appearance in the early days with processions that consisted of
people, both on foot and on horseback, alongside horse-drawn vehicles. The Fleet Town Band
and the Wesleyan Prize Band (later known as the Fleet Brass Band) also joined the event,
finally giving the town their own musical accompaniment without relying on those from
neighbouring areas. The celebrations also featured a large torchlight procession and bonfire.

Find out more about Carnival

Thanks to Tina at forfleetssake.co.uk for providing the history of Carnival.

 

Meet the Committee

Leanne Walmsley
Chairman

About Leanne

With over 30 entries in the procession, the 2023 Fleet & District carnival had to have been one of the best ever! I am fortunate to lead an amazing committee who all work extremely hard to make this annual event such a success.

Carnival is one of those events that brings the community together, and without the fantastic support of our local councils, councillors, communities, and businesses, we wouldn’t be able to fund it.

There is so much effort that goes into organising it and I am very lucky to have such a strong and committed team who all pull together to create such a fantastic day.

Joy Marshall

Joy Marshall
Vice-Chairman, Website & Social Media Manager

About Joy

I joined the carnival committee in 2019 having moved to the area a few years previously. After a couple of difficult years, It was wonderful to be part of carnival coming back in 2022 and seeing the community response to the return of this much-loved and greatly-missed local event.
I am proud to take on the role of Vice-Chair for 2023 and to have the opportunity of once again being a part of the fabulous organising committee that works so hard to bring carnival to life.

Abi Simpson
Treasurer

About Abi

With my background in finance I joined the Carnival Committee as Treasurer. Having lived in Fleet most of my life, this was the perfect way for me to volunteer my time to a great local event. I get the chance work with a lovely team of people helping the community and I’m excited for a new challenge and fun filled Carnival in 2023.

Lynne Bogue
Secretary

About Lynne
I am the Carnival Secretary. Having lived in Fleet all of my life and I love the excitement of the Carnival. I spent more than 29 years as Manager of a travel agency in Fleet High Street.

Wendy Brown
President

About Wendy
I have been the president of the Carnival for over 10 years and have lived in Fleet since the 1970’s and have an active role with the Fleet WRVS.

Yasmin Watts
Stalls Manager

About Yasmin

Being involved in carnival is something that gives me a real sense of town pride and community. I have helped for around 6 years and being involved in keeping such a historical Fleet event running, which I remember from childhood, is such a joy. I hope the events of carnival that the whole committee put so much into will be a part of other children’s’ happy memories and continue for many years. See you all there over Carnival weekend.

Rochelle Halliday
Carnival Programme & Media Manager

About Rochelle
I’m brand new to the Carnival Committee and also a newbie to Fleet too, having joined as Executive Officer at Fleet Town Council in October 2022. My background is in local government and organising community events and I also love the arts, all of which will stand me in good stead as part of the organising committee. I am so looking forward to getting to know Fleet and working with the amazing Carnival team to help put together another fun-filled event for 2023. See you there!

Carolyn Howe
Carnival Royalty Manager

About Carolyn
I was first involved with Fleet Carnival in 2022. I helped to organise the Prince & Princess ball and had a great time teaching the winners a royal wave during the carnival procession! I enjoy various volunteering opportunities and this was something different to try. I really enjoyed the carnival atmosphere and being part of the team.

Donna Bowers
Stage & Live Music Manager

About Donna
I have been involved with Carnival over a number of years supporting the marketing and social media activities. I love to see the local community get together and Carnival is a fantastic way to support local charities. This year I will be looking after the stage and talent which will be providing entertainment for everyone who attends!
Kerry Lambert

Kerry Lambert
Dog Show Manager

About Kerry

I joined the Carnival committee in 2018 because I wanted to get involved and support my town and this fantastic annual event. I am privileged to be able to run the dog show with my colleagues from Ashworth Vets and we have loved every minute of each year. Being a part of the committee is a great opportunity to meet people in the community, working hard to continue such a fun and well run event. I have loved being part of the dog show with my practice for many years and enjoy supporting this amazing community tradition.

Jarod Nash

Jarod Nash
Task Force Manager

About Jarod

In 2022, I helped with Fleet Carnival, marking out pitches, preparing donation buckets and other little jobs the day before. On Carnival day I found myself directing the flow of stallholders as they arrived and throughout the day, keeping the way clear for when the main procession arrived. It was great to play a small part in what I thought was a great community event, and wanting to do more I’ve stepped up this year and become part of the committee, in particular taking on responsibility around the traditional carnival games section.

Brian Shadrake
Task Force

About Brian
Brian has been living in fleet for the past 40 years as resident of this great town. He has been actively member of fleet carnival for the past 10 + years looking after and being part of the Task Force.

Becca Chamberlain
Committee Member

About Becca
Having grown up in and around Fleet, I have always loved the atmosphere in town around carnival time and so I joined the committee in 2018. Working around university deadlines and part time work you’ll most likely see me running around town doing various odd jobs behind the scenes to help keep carnival running.

Steve Forster
Committee Member

About Steve
Steve has been supporting Carnival for many years, as a sponsor and helping the committee with fundraising as well as with road closures and organisation. In his role as local Councillor, Steve will be responsible for education and schools from 2023 and is keen to get more children and schools involved in Carnival.

Contact Fleet & District
Carnival Committee

Accounts & invoicing
accounts@fleetcarnival.org

 

All stalls enquiries
stalls@fleetcarnival.org

Carnival programme advertising
marketing@fleetcarnival.org

 

Chairman & sponsorships
chairman@fleetcarnival.org

Schools & artwork competition
schools@fleetcarnival.org

 

General / all other enquiries
contact@fleetcarnival.org