Our centenary year continued in style on Thursday night at Ilfracombe.

As is now a tradition, the crew started the evening with some refreshment at The Marine before taking the treacherous journey along the A399. That road and it’s over hanging trees is definitely not designed for 7 riders on the back of a 20 foot wooden horse!!

Hats off to Smudge who calmly dealt with some early audio technical difficulties. Amazing what a drop of oil can do!

The night was also notable for being Pat Rice’s first carnival and she took to it like a duck to water (or goose in her case). Pat is the wife of our well established ‘tail man’, Graham. Graham has the responsibility of soaking revellers with a flick of the horse’s tail during carnival parades.

The crowds lining the streets were clearly pleased to see the horse and its riders. Finishing at the harbour the boys were also greeted by the local lifeboat and its crew who kindly posed for a group photo. The night was rounded off by drinks in The Globe, before the hardened drinkers took a well-earned brandy (or two) at The Sanders residence in Combe Martin.

Congratulations to all involved in another successful outing…

The riders being:
Gerald Walters, Darren Smallridge, Norman Sanders, John Webber, Mark Sanders, Kevin Irwin and Graham Rice.

The ground crew:
Sue Muir, Sarah Rumson, Josh Rumson, Matthew Rumson, Will Smallridge, Erin Smallridge, and Pat Rice.

Don’t miss the final chance to catch Uncle Tom in his historic year on the 17th September at Barnstaple. See you then!

The old girl looked resplendent… decked out in balloons, banners, flashing lights, and a birthday hat. Although the latter was pulled early on – she maybe 100 years old, but she still has a certain amount of street cred to maintain!

The Birthday Girl was received with cheers and applause as she made her way to seaside, past the impressive Uncle Tom tribute at the top of the village and a low set of hanging flags further down. Thanks go to a certain Mr Chadwick for allowing us rite of passage.

On arrival at our destination we were greated by a massive crowd of excited revellers and a ticker tape finale. What better way to celebrate your centenary. Roll on the next 100 years!

Riders on this historic day were: Gerald Walters, Darren Smallridge, Norman Sanders, John Webber, Mark Sanders, Kevin Irwin, and Graham Rice.

Ground Crew were: Sue Muir, Sarah Rumson, Josh Rumson, Matthew Rumson, Will Smallridge, Erin Smallridge, Rachel and Jasmine Jayaprakash.

All were escourted by 2 very smart horses riden by Maria Johns and friend.

Combe Martin Carnival, 2011, a photo by Uncle Tom Cobley on Flickr.

The Old Gray Mare and it’s riders were guests of honour at the opening ceremony, and what a ceremony it was… a ticker tape entrance, group photographs, and recognition of our 100th in the form of badges and a beautiful shield. The boys and their trusty horse have never had it so good!

Gerald, our Commander and Chief, took up the responsibility of crowning the Carnival Ambassador (Stephanie De’Athe) before officially opening up Carnival week.

Earlier that day the riders visited the Parish Church where an effigy of the horse and it’s riders had been built to mark the centenary. Hats off to Pat Rice and her team of willing volunteers for creating a masterpiece!

What a day! With hangovers now rested, it’s safe to say that the festivities have well and truly begun…

Combe Martin Carnival, 2011, a photo by Uncle Tom Cobley on Flickr.

This achievement is going to be celebrated in style with, for the first time ever, the horse leading the possession at Combe Martin. Hopefully she’ll pull up in time to lead the way as she does have a tendency to stop for quite a lot of fluid! You’ll also find Uncle Tom opening carnival week at Hollands Park and appearing on the front page of the programme.

On this momentous year you can follow the horse, riders, and ground crew at these events…

Combe Martin: 6th August (Opening Carnival Week) and 10th August (Carnival Night)
Ilfracombe Carnival: 25th August
Barnstaple Carnival: 17th September

Finally a big thank you to the Combe Martin Carnival Committee for all of their support and recognition of our centenary and to the Ground Crew (Sue Muir, Sarah, Josh, and Mathew Rumson) for their continued enthusiasm and hard work.

Thanks go to Merv and all the staff at The Martine for a wonderful meal and also, not forgetting Norm who did a stirling job organising the whole event.

Hopefully all the hangovers have cleared by now!

Christmas, 2010, a photo by Uncle Tom Cobley on Flickr.

As is now a tradition, the boys started and finished at The Reform Inn, Pilton. Their hospitality was well received, so much so that there appeared to be some reluctance to leave for the carnival itself.

The streets were packed with revellers, particularly around the strand and square. As always, the horse was well received even by those who took a drenching from tailman Graham Rice. Graham’s fellow riders on this day were: Gerald Walters, Darren Smallridge, Norman Sanders, Mark Sanders, Kevin Irwin and John Webber.

Sue Muir and Sarah Rumson, who have become the backbone of the ground crew, did a stirling job with the ladder and money collection.

Barnstaple Carnival, 2010, a photo by Uncle Tom Cobley on Flickr.

Check out the podcast…

…and video footage. Particularly entertaining is Gerald’s fancy footwork in the Civic Centre carpark. To view other videos from the carnival, select the ‘menu’ button below. Enjoy!!

The riders were well supported by a strong ground crew which included: Sue Muir, Sarah Rumson, Josh Rumson, Matthew Rumson, Will Smallridge, Erin Smallridge, Lynne Parkinson and Jasmine Jayaprakash. Thanks also to Pat Rice who sourced some excellent burgers on route!

The horse was well behaved under the firm hand of Gerald Walters, backed up by: Darren Smallridge, Norman Sanders, Mark Sanders, Kevin Irwin, John Webber and Graham Rice. Just the one pit stop this year, although Kevin probably had one for all of us

The evening was rounded off with a pint or two in The Globe at Berrynarbor.

Check out the photos from last night in our on-line gallery.

So it’s onwards and upwards to Barnstaple on the 18th September. We hope to see you there me booties!

Ilfracombe Carnival, 2010, a photo by Uncle Tom Cobley on Flickr.

As a mark of respect the riders and ‘ground crew’ donned black arm bands and wore badges of ‘The Scribe’. Graham gave a very poignant speech which beautifully summed up how we were all feeling.

This year was a dry carnival, (weather wise), and seemed to bring out the crowds being particularly busy at the Pack of Cards and Seaside. The crew were also highly organised, without the customary last minute rush!

A few pit stops were required on the way, most notably at The Castle and on the approach to the Seaside – thanks to the ‘ground crew’ who did a first class job with the ladder!

This years riders were: Gerald Walters, Darren Smallridge, Norman Sanders, Mark Sanders, John Webber, Jimmy Norman and Graham Rice.

The ‘ground crew’ were: Sue Muir, Sarah Rumson, Josh and Mathew Rumson.

Onwards to Ilfracombe in 2 weeks time (Thursday, 26th August). In the meantime, check out the pictures added to the ‘Photo Gallery’ from the right of your screen.

Combe Martin Carnival, 2010, a photo by Uncle Tom Cobley on Flickr.

Michael has been with us for 29 years and without his and his family’s support (Ivor, Maria and Tim) the horse would be grounded.

As well as driving, The Johns family stable The Old Gray Mare taking care of him at Lower Leigh Farm.

Combe Martin Carnival, 2010, a photo by Uncle Tom Cobley on Flickr.

Thanks go to the helpers on Tuesday: Gerald Walters, Jimmy Norman, Norman Sanders, Graham Rice, Darren Smallridge, John Webber, Kevin Irwin, Jason Penhallurick, Michael, Ivor & Tim Johns.