Miss Jacqueline Wilkinson was the Carnival Queen in 1988 (160) and she was succeeded the following year by Miss Amelia Grace. Photographs of the event present a somewhat depressing scene with the Queen holding an umbrella and the Silver Prize Band marching doggedly through the puddles en route and the judging of floats in the midst of the downpour. Although the rain abated during the procession the organisers of the various events were soaked resulting in the Carnival being given the dubious distinction as the "wettest ever" by the local press reporter who was obviously too young to remember the 1939 event. The Flower Show was badly affected by the rain with entries down by half the average number and yet the show was a great success for Mr.J.G.Myers who swept the board, picking up all the trophies in the rose section while Mr.C.Hanner replicated that success in the sweet pea class. Floral art exhibits depicting a 'television programme' saw Mrs C.Scott emerge victorious. Elsewhere throughout the week the Dog Show, Swimming Gala and the Rubgy Tournament were held with a Sunda67 Carnival Service to complete the festival. (161)

In glorious sunshine an estimated 5,000 spectators watched the 1990 Carnival Queen Miss Sarah Ramskill, who it was stated had been selected for her personality and charm, crowned in the company of attendants Nicole Sneap and Michelle McAteer. (162) A full programme of events throughout the preceding week including the usual Dog Show, Flower Show, Swimming Gala and charity rugby match. The Carnival procession was led by the Silver Prize and Knottingley Youth bands. Behind the facade of normality and public gaiety however, the Carnival organisers faced an unprecendented crisis which threatened the extinction of the event. The problem was twofold in nature: lack of money and organisational problems. Yet again Cr Graham Stokes, Committee Chairman, appealed for more practical assistance from the public, pointing out that currently there were only six members on the Committee and they were responsible for all the arrangements concerning the Carnival. Yet even should more active support be forthcoming the future of the event was in serious doubt for the Committee had top finance the Carnival and a Bonfire Night firework display froma Council grant of £750, a figure which had not increased for 15 years. In addition, as the resultof the terms of the lease concerning the PLaying Fields, a bond of £50 had to be paid for the use of the site, returnable subject to the litter from the Carnival being cleared away afterwards. An angry Committee begrudged this imposition and obatined the synpathetic support of the Rugby Club whose members carried out the clean up operation. Cash flow was only part of the financial problem however, for local firms were thought to be willing to sponsor the Carnival but this potential source of funding went untapped for want of a liason officer which shortage of volunteers denied. In a state bordering on desperation the Committee called a public meeting in Knottingley Town Hall on 13th September to recruit assistance. (163)

Meanwhile, at the Carnival, notable achievements were recorded by the Kellingley Ladies' Darts Team who improved on their success in gaining the Springfield Trophy the previous year, by winning the Carnival Trophy for best overall float in 1990. Mr.G.Myers again took the homours in the Flower Show, winning the Tate and Sharpe cups but yielding the Sarvant cup to Mrs Foster, while Mr.C.Hanner was again awarded the salver for the best sweet peas.

A crisis of a different nature occurred in 1991. In May the High School students elected Miss Karen Young as the new Carnival Queen but between election and coronation a change of mind occurred as Karen took up residence at Campsall and commenced work in a Doncaster Hairdressing salon. With less than a fortnight to Carnival Day Karen Young became the first Carnival Queen to 'abdicate', on the grounds that she could not find the time for the Carnival Queen's duties. A second ballot was hastily convened as a result of which Miss Caroline Whittles was chosen. Dressmaker, Mrs Vanda Dunnachie who had prepared the dresses for the six attendants long before had to hurridly arrange fittings for Caroline but worked diligently and successfully completed the royal dress on time. (164)

The sun shone on the parade, led as usual by the Silver Prize Band. Close behind were the Carnival guests who were to act as the competition judges, the local M.P., Mr.Geoff Lofthouse, and the civic heads of three neighbouring townships. (165) The dignitaries were followed by 8 tableaux and numerous fancy dress competitors. Expressing some disappointment at the fall in the number of floats Committee Secretary, Linda Stokes, explained that public reluctance to find the time required for the design and organisation of a tableaux was the reason for the disparity between the number of floats and fancy dress entrants. After the crowning of the Queen by Mrs Vera Andrews, Mayoress, W.M.D.C., the judging of the tableaux ttok place with first p[rize awarded to the P.G.I. staff for their depiction of 'The Darling Buds of May', based upon the H.E.Bates novel which had recently been adapted as a successful and popular television series. The overall winners however, were Knottingley Brownies with 'Neptunes Garden' and they were also awarded the trophy for best childrens' entry narrowly beating Pontefract Air Training Corps and Knottingley Swimming Club who were joint second. Once again the Kellingley Ladies Darts Team enjoyed success with their float 'Diddymen' based on the creation of the famous comedian Ken Dodd. A fall in the number of entries for the Flower Show was compensated buy th high standard of exhibits, particularly for the Yorkshire Sweet Pea Chanpionship in which Mr.David Matthewman won all five classes while Mr.G.Myers yet again won the Tait and Sharpe cups in the rose section and Mrs.C.Scott was awarded the Sarvant Cup in the floral art class. (166)

The 60th anniversary of the appearance of the queen as a feature of the Carnival occurred in 1992 when Miss Kelly Dunning was crowned by the W.M.D.C. Deputy Mayoress, Mrs Elaine Clark. Memories were stirred among older inhabitants of the town by the guest appearance of Mrs Doris Mason who as Doris Ellerington had been crowned as the first ever Carnival Queen in 1932.

Unfortunately rain fell as the Knottingley Band, together with the Youth Band, gallantly led the parade. At the field the Queen was hurriedly crowned before adjourning to the nearby Close where she presented a bouquet to Mrs Mason who then helped to judge the fancy dress entries. Kellingley Ladies Darts Team secured another triumph in the tableaux section, winning the Springfield Trophy. Other tableaux winners were the entries of the Green Bottle public house and the Knottingley Brownies who took the Carnival and the Civic Society trophies respectively, the latter being adjudged overall winners for the second succesive year.

Owing to the effect of the rain a display by juvenile jazz bands had to be cancelled but the Flower Show, held in a large marquee, was protected against the elements. The show incorporated entries from a plate decoration competition held amongst pupils of local schools, the winners being Simpsons Lane J&I School which also obtained a third prize for a float depicting 'The Pied Piper'. Handwriting and embroidery were also features of the Flower Show and schoolboy, John Brown, won both the under 7 years plate decoration and handwriting competitions.

Attractions earlier in the week included the ever popular Dog Show, held at the Social Centre, and the Rugby tournament in which Under 15 and Under 9 teams from Knottingley were successful in their respective matches. At a disco in the N.A.D.S & S Club following the matches where all the players received medals presented by the Carnival Committee, a collection realised £90 for the P.G.I. Heart Ward. A service in the parish church on Sunday marked the conclusion of Carnival Week. (167)

More of the same quality fare was the order in 1993 when the Queen was Miss Melanie Ramskill whose sister, Sarah, had been elected three years earlier. (168) In 1994 the parade was led by Knottingley Youth Brass, marking the passing of the connection with the Knottingley Silver Prize Band which for the first time in Carnival history was not 'on parade'. Huge crowds made Carnival day attendance the best ever with attractions such as the Pennine Rangers' Dog Team, the Charlie Keith Roadshow and the Sapphires' Jazz Band in addition to the regular events throughout the preceding week. The Queen that year was Miss Michaela Cain who was accompanied on the platform by the outgoing Queen, Melanie Ramskill, and was crowned by Cr David Lund, Mayor of the district council. (169)

At 14 years of age, Trudy Jackson, the Queen for 1995, must possibly rank as the youngest ever Carnival Queen. The week's events began on Wednesday with the Dog Show which had that year metamorphosised to become 'The Scruffy Dog Show'. In hot sunny weather a large crowd was attracted to the Playing Fields where the procession, led by the Beeston Highland Brass, terminated. Knottingley Brownies won the tableaux prize for their float 'Land of the Pharohs' with the Ferrybridge Brownies' 'Sound of Music' second. Third prize wasa warded to the Five Towns Christian Fellowship tableaux which marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War by depicting a 'V.E Day Street Party'. Again the Sunday Carnival Service, conducted by Fr Hugh Lawrance, concluded the weeks activities. (170)

It was again 'fun in the sun' in 1996 when hundreds turned out to witness Charlotte Birkby crowned by W.M.D.C. Mayoress, Mrs Margaret Bolland. Queen Charlotte was attended by Stacy Clift, Eleanor Tennant, Jade Murgatroyd, Hayley Nuttall, Sarah Kelly, and Dannielle (sic) Gill, together with page boys Matthew Gardham and Andrew Perkins. The robes worn by the Queen and her retinue were made by Linda Booth. Accompanying the Queen were Trudy Jackson, the retiring Queen, and Michelle Clewarth, a neighbouring district queen.

Knottingley Concert Brass entertained the crowd while Charlie Keith's Roadshow made a return visit and Charlie's Comedy Trampoline Act was another popular feature. The funfair, which had also returned as a Carnival feature by this time, was also a popular attraction. Amongst the many stalls one of the most patronised was that of the Knottingley and South Kirkby Hospice Shops, asociated with Prince of Wales Hospice, Pontefract, which raised £230. The first prize for the fancy dress event went to Ghena Cleuren and friends who were dressed as 'Hippies' and who generously donated their prize money to the Hospice. (171)

The Carnival was again endangered when in 1997 the Local Authority withdrew its sponsorship of the event as part of its swingeing budget cuts and it was only the generousity of local businesses in underwriting the event that enabled the Carnival to take place. However, in good weather "all Knottingley turned out" to witness Miss Zoe Turner crowned Queen. A parade of 9 floats was led by Knottingley Concert Brass. The overall tableaux prize was won by the Five Towns' Christian Fellowship's 'By the Seaside' and new M.P., Ms Yvette Cooper, presented the prizes including one for the best decorated bike. Features on the field included the Dragon Mist Jazz Band and a go-cart track. There was also an escapologist, Nick Janson, "the man of a thousand escapes" who took less than a minute to escape from under a 'flying bomb'. The Scruffy Dog Show made its second annual appearance during the week which also featured the Rugby tournament and Swimming Gala. (172)

Miss Jenny Griffiths presided regally over the following year's event which, thanks to the labours of Chairman Graham Stokes and Secretary Linda Stokes, and the dedicated Committee had been saved yet again from extinction, to be declared "a knockout" Carnival. As if to portent for the future and to crown the Committee's efforts with deserved success, the sun shone for the first time for weeks, a fact particularly noted by local M.P., Yvette Cooper, who made a mental note to wear more comfortable shows when marching in future Carnival processions.

The usual events took place in Carnival Week and Carnival Day featured demonstrations by Claire's Dancing School and Halsbands Falcons and the Fleur de Lys Jazz Bands. Four year old Nathan Greenwood was the hit of the Fancy Dress section, winning first prize for his 'Tin Man', inspired by the book and film 'The Wizard of Oz'. The Five Towns' Christian Fellowship repeated their success of the previous year with the prize for the best float with their depiction of another film 'Mary Poppins'. (173)

The last Carnival of the twentieth century saw Miss Rebecca Binns installed as Queen. In sweltering weather crowds watched the procession of 9 floats, with the Five Towns' Fellowship gaining a hat-trick of successes with their 'Hill [Top] Billies', based on the popular television series 'Beverley Hillbillies'. Other tableaux winners were 'Spooks' Night Out' (Knottingley Swimming Club) and 'Annie' (Ferrybridge Brownies). The day featured the return of Charlie Keith's Roadshow, a funfair, bouncy castle and stalls and John Whiteley and his Sheepdog & Farmyard Rodeo, which entertained the expectant crowd as it awaited the arrival at the Playing Fields of the Carnival procession. The success of the event prompted Cr Glenn Burton, one of the principal organisers, to declare the event to be "one of the best Carnivals we have had", and add "we are looking forward to an even better one for the Millennium". (174)

Cr Burton's expectation was fulfilled as thousands turned out in July 2000 to support a 13 float parade presided over by Miss Kimberley Stone as Carnival Queen which was adjudged to be "the biggest Carnival ever seen" in the town's history. Yvette Cooper, M.P., and the civic leaders of the Wakefield and the Normanton Councils attended an event which included Charlie Keiths Roadshow, Motorcycle Madmen, Jo Jo the Clown, and the Chesterfield Musketeers. Such was the throng that by mid afternoon all 30 stallholders had sold out of wares. Carnival Week concluded with an acumenical church service held in the recently constructed Knottingley Ampitheatre, situated at the canalside between Gaggs and Jacksons bridges. (175)

The Carnival suffered a further blow in 2001 when Linda and Graham Stokes under the presure of family commitments found it necessary to resign from the Carnival Committee. The thousands who attended in glorious sunshine heard deserved public acknowledgement of the Stokes' contribution over many years to the Carnival Committee by Secretary Mr. Gary Martin.

The new Queen, Miss Keeley Bailey, reigned over a range of attractions, the highlight of which was a talent contest which was won by Lee Wild and Billy Holland with a 'Dirty Dancing' routine and the crowd particularly enjoyed the singing of 15 year old Sarah Doughty. The Ampitheatre again provided the venue for the Sunday Evening Service which rounded off Carnival Week. (176)

The crises which had in recent decades become almost as regular a feature as the Carnival itself recurred in 2002 when the police, citing reasons of public safety, slashed the customary route of the parade. The restrictions meant that the annual procession would not be allowed to pass through the main thoroughfares, being confined to Ferrybridge Road and the upper part of Hill Top. The decision created an outcry by local residents who however reluctant to commit themselves to participation of the Carnival organisation were loathe to see its demise. A public meeting was therefore convened in the Town Hall (the venue itself having experienced similar crises throughout recent decades and in common with the Carnival, surviving only by the dedication of a few volunteers) on Tuesday 2nd July, 2002. (177) Pat Doyle, Carnival Committee Secretary, encapsulated the feeling of the meeting in a comment to the local press

"everyone....is disgusted. The Carnival has been going for over 75 years and people feel this signals the end of a long tradition."

The sentiment was echoed by Mr. Colin Penistone who said

"The town has seen a resurrection over the years and a resurgence of the Carnival. Cutting the route like this is going to kill the Carnival and regulars are going to throw the towel in [all] for the sake of bureaucracy".

Community policeman P.C.Charlie Banks, said that the decision had arisen following a risk assessment contingent upon the Health & Safety Act which had revealed that it was impossible to ensure a reasonable degree of safety over the whole of the traditional route. The local M.P., Ms Yvette Cooper, armed with a 1,000 signature petition, approached the senior officer of the divisional police force but it looked increasingly likely that pretty Miss Leanne Dundas would make history as the first uncrowned Queen. (178) Almost miraculously, however, it was found that if the customary route was reversed and slightly adjusted most of the perceived dangers would be obviated. The police therefore did a last minute u-turn and the Carnival went ahead and by traversing the reverse route opened a new page in its illustrious history.

The sun shone on hundreds of revellers on Carnival Day as a stream of colourful and ingenious floats and fancy dress entrants passed through the town. The success of the event drew the plaudits in the local press not only from Pat Dooyle and Tommy Devanny, respective Secretary and Chairman of the Carnival Committee, but from independant critics. (179)

A dramatic incident occurred on the morning of Carnival Day when the lighting system of one of the fairground rides set the amusement ablaze and the fiire brigade had to be called to the scene. The ride was completely destroyed but there were no casulaties and the effect of the incident on the Carnival was minimal although had the blaze taken place in the presence of the large number of spectators some hours later the situation might have been more problematical. (180)

'CARNIVAL CRISIS...

...was the headline in the local paper in March 2003 warning that the Carnival might not take place that summer unless more support for the Carnival Committee was forthcoming. Ms Pat Towell stated the necessity for 'young blood' in order to revitalise the work of the older generation of Committee members following the resignation of Ms Pat Doyle due to the pressure imposed by other commitments. The plea was endorsed by local M.P. Yvette Cooper in her weekly newspaper column but unfortunately to no avail. (181) A crisis meeting drew little response from the general public, a particularly disappointing outcome given the voluble public support the previous year when the event was under threat. As a result the fate of the Carnival was left in the hands of nine despondent people who, given the size of the local population were fully justified in feeling embittered. (182) By May three new members had been recruited but this gain was somewhat nullified by the stated intent of two of the dispirited members to resign following the Carnival which was scheduled for the 12th July. It was feared that the announcement of the pending resignations might trigger further resignations by depondent Committee members. The public apathy was not merely confined to reluctance to join the Committee but also to participation in the Carnival for with less than a month before the event only three applications had been received from people and organisations wishing to enter floats in the Carnival parade. While this in itself was not unique, for a similar situation had occurred in 1985 when with only two weeks to go only two floats had been booked yet a late surge had saved the day, it was nevertheless quite alarming within the wider context of apparent indifference. In an effort to emphasise the historic continuity of the Carnival the Committee decided to present a commemorative float featuring former Carnival Queens and an appeal was launched to help trace their present whereabouts. A further appeal was made to parents to encourage and assist children to participate in the fancy dress competition and in an effort to promote involvement in the parade residents of all areas of the community were requested to produce a neighbourhood tableau. The Committee encouraged participation by providing appropriate vehicles and insurance cover together with a cash subsidy of £15 and a number of programmes which could be sold, the proceeds augmenting the cost of decorating the floats. A prize of £50 was announced for the winning float. (183) In addition to frequent news updates the Pontefract & Castleford Express provided valuable publicity in the form of an eve of Carnival article by Ms Alex Moss which synthesised past and present detail supplemented by photographs, to emphasise the Carnival's historic nature and the desirability to preserve the tradition. (184)

Despite all the foreboding Carnival Day proved yet again to be a great success as an array of attendant revellers accompanied a series of tableaux in the parade led by Knottingley Concert Brass. In glorious sunshine Queen Sarah Doughty presided over a galaxy of guests in the form of earlier Carnival Queens. Ninety year old Mrs Doris Mason, who in 1932 as Doris Ellerington, had the distinction of being the first ever Queen, was accompanied by Mrs Peggy Stones, a youthful 77 year old who in the days before the amalgamation of Knottingley and Ferrybridge, had represented the latter as Carnival Queen in 1938. (185) Recalling her involvement 71 years previously Doris Mason stated "It was a happy day. I walked though Howards Field and everyone clapped and cheered me. I felt like a real queen".

Carnival Day was redolent with memories as six erstwhile queens from a more recent era appeared in the parade. The six making the guest appearance were (to give their maiden names)

Elizabeth Rowett 1961
Pamela Brown 1962
Hazel Williamson 1972
Kelly Dunning 1992
Michaela Cain 1994
Keeley Bailey 2001

In addition Leanne Dundas was in attendance as the retiring Queen and other former queens were also present within the gala crowd. It is testimony to their pride in their hometown and the sense of honour as its selected representative that several of their number had travelled from beyond the immediate area to support the Carnival and the attendance of all was greatly to their credit. (186)

As in former years the Carnival celebrations commenced mid week with a Scruffy Dog Show on the Thursday evening preceding Carnival Day. A junior rugby tournament took place in Sleepy Valley during Thursday and Friday and on the latter day evening a swimming gala was held in the Knottingley pool. Festivities ended on the evening of Sunday 14th July with an ecumenical service at the now customary venue of Hill Top ampitheatre. (187)

In the wake of the Carnival several public expressions of appreciation featured within the local press (188) but the effect was compromised by a somewhat misleading and cynical attempt on the part of a political organisation to steal the credit solely due to the dedicated members of the Carnival Committee, the effort expended in paying lip service to the event being disproportionate to that actually afforded to the Committee. The blatant measure was subsequently firmly and diplomatically placed within its proper context by Linda Stokes, Secretary of the Carnival Committee. (189) A more sincere tribute came from Mrs Peggy Stones who, voicing her thanks to all concerned with the organisation of the event concluded;

"I do hope we will have many more carnivals - don't let it die out"

There speaks a voice tempered by the experience of another era, an age, to quote a near contemporary of Mrs Stones..

....when people took what came as it came...the fete days, the processions, the sports, the home-made, community brand entertainment in the days before our food, our music, our culture, our very heritage came in cans". (191)

The old order has changed. The question is whether the change has rendered obsolete the carnival spirit. Will Knottingley Carnival go the way of Knottla Feast and Infirmary Sunday and a myriad frolics or will enough people be found with sufficient pride in their heritage to ensure its future? Time alone will tell.

Dr. Terry Spencer