FLEET HAMPSHIRE
(ALSO INCLUDES JUBILEE AND CORONATION CELEBRATIONS)
Welcome to the Fleet Carnival page. Here we take a look at the history of Fleet Carnival and how it’s changed over the years, as well as any latest updates about the event. If you have any information to add us we’d love to hear from you!
1900 – 1939
The history of Fleet Carnival dates back to the year 1900 when it was first held to raise funds for Fleet Hospital. The events were more low key in those days and were accompanied by a torchlight procession. Before 1914 the carnival was run completely by horse riders and horse drawn vehicles (plus those on foot). By 1914 these were joined by Fleet Town Band (wearing a scarlet red uniform) and Wesleyan Prize Band (wearing a navy blue uniform). These celebrations continued until 1939, after which the event was cancelled.
1953
In 1953 there was a procession organised in Fleet to celebrate the Queen’s Coronation. That revived the interest in having a carnival again and in 1955 the Chamber of Trade began to discuss the idea. The carnival was eventually brought back in 1956 and it was increased to a week long event, instead of the previous one day celebration, funds from which were to be used to finance a new hall for Fleet.
1956 – Present
In 1956 the more modern Fleet Carnival that we know today began and various attractions were added to it, as it became a week long event which was held on the Firs Meadow in Crookham Road (where the Police Station used to be). The carnival aimed to raise funds to build a new civic centre and in 1971 it donated £10,000 towards Chernocke Hall and Carnival Hall in Fleet. After this monies raised went to local good causes.
Today the Carnival is still going strong, although the individual events have changed a bit over the years. This section of our website features any articles we may have about the Carnival and takes a look back at its history and past years events.
We’re searching for pretty much anything to add to our Fleet Carnival History Archives, so if you have any photos, videos, information, memories, leaflets, newspaper clippings, posters, programmes, or brochures from any year, we’d love to hear from you! Please check back often as we are adding more details all the time.
CARNIVAL COVERS
If you’d like to skip straight to our collection of Fleet Carnival Covers then visit this page. If you could help us with any missing programmes, please let us know!
FLEET CARNIVAL NEWS AND HISTORY