Ryde Tableaux

Have you ever thought about all the work that goes into the costumes and floats that you see at Carnivals? In this new feature we hope to give you some idea.

As an association, Ryde Carnival Associations real function is to ensure that the Ryde Carnivals run safely and that everyone who enters the parades enjoys themselves. The production of a float is something that the members do for fun, this is one of the reasons why we as an association do not have a queens float, because in reality our association is about the community of Ryde and the Isle of Wight

On average a carnival float and costumes will take about 4,000 person hours over a nine month period to produce. Every aspect of the design has to be carefully planned, from safety features to weight and balance of the float, to total colour co-ordination of flyers, posters, and our magazine.

Amazing Journeys

Ryde Carnival Association's entry into this year's Island Carnivals is inspired by the 2010 Ryde Arts Festival theme "Amazing Journeys".We have therefore chosen Christopher Columbus's discovery of the Americas in 1492 as our theme for Ryde's 2010 float.

Says Jo Treagus, wardrobe mistress. "This journey must rank as one of the most amazing journeys ever. It certainly altered the course of history. Columbus was born in Italy but worked his way up from cabin boy to become an experienced sailor. On arriving in Spain he was fortunate to marry Felipa Perestrello who was well connected socially. Through his wife he was able to put forward a plan to Queen Isabella of Spain to finance an expedition to find new lands that Spain could colonise. The Queen agreed and Columbus was told to bring back any wonders found which would hopefully include gold and many treasures and spices.

Columbus first discovery was the Caribbean Islands. Included in the gifts he brought back and presented to Queen Isabella were some ornate fans, gold ornaments and hammered gold masks. In representation of this our costumes this year are in sumptuous gold satin lace and are designed in a fan shape, featuring fan accessories. Look out also for some traditional Caribbean costumes accompanying our float, including the infamous "Midnight Robber" who is said to have originated first in Trinidad as a parody of Columbus. Our float this year features a globe of the world and a representation of one of Columbus's three ships Nina, Pinta and the ill fated Santa Maria, which sank during this expedition.

Special thanks to Ryde's own Derek Sandy for giving permission for us to play his wonderful Caribbean music including 'Welcome to the Isle of Wight'. Anyone wishing to join us in costume in Island carnivals is very welcome to do so, particularly if you are willing to dress up as a traditional Caribbean carnival character. These characters include amongst others, Baby Doll, Sailors and Fancy Indians."

Ryde Carnival Association are looking for more volunteers to help in all aspects of their work . This includes stewarding and collecting on the days of the carnival, help with constructing the float and making costumes, general administration, publicity and fund raising. Anyone interested in helping can email on info@rydecarnival.co.uk

Here on the Isle of Wight we are very lucky because there is a huge artistic talent pool that we can use. The Isle of Wight Councils' Art Unit has helped to promote Carnival Arts, by introducing new skills to schools and individuals. At Ryde Carnival Association we have been able to use those skills and talents of our members and we are pleased that we can carry on supporting local groups and schools with our small grants. As an association we also produce our own float each year to promote Ryde and join with other carnival associations for the benefit of the Island community.

Although the last carnival on the island is at the end of the summer holidays, the association has little time to rest before we have to start thinking about our tableau for the following year. We have a few weeks rest, then we all get together to have a debrief as to how the carnival season went. At this meeting we start the process of design again.

Ryde Carnival Association often require equipment or help from the public to ensure that their float and tableaux are enjoyed at all the Island carnivals. If you are willing to lend a hand to help build our float please contact the Association, either by letter or by e-mail at info@rydecarnival.co.uk