Methley carnivals of the past.
Maypole dancing at Methley Flower Show or Carnival.
Maypole Dancing by the girls of Methley in the Cedar's field on the occasion
of Methley Flower Show or Carnival, (Flower Show c 1912, Carnival c 1925).
In the background, on specially constructed stands, relatives, friends
and other villagers assembled. On the right is the Brass Band in attendance.
Thje girls wear white for dancing.
Methley Carnival was a great day for the village. The first Carnival was
on Aug. 21st, 1909. Later it took place on the first or second week in
July, Saturday becoming Carnival Day and Sunday became Infirmary Sunday,
collections from the villagers and profits from the Carnival being donated
to Leeds Infirmary.
The
Carnival attracted a wide audience and included a procession through the
village and decorated floats, comic bands, fancy dress parade and a Br
ass Band (Altofts Band in later days after Methley Band's demise). After
the Parade, everyone assembled in Embleton's Field for fancy dress competitions,
country dancing, children's sports, figure marching and judging of floats,
comic bands etc. The event was organised by the Methley Infirmary Committee
in aid of the local hospitals at Hightown and Leeds.
Carnivals flourished in the 1920s and early 1930s. Between 1949 and 1954
the Methley Branch of the British Legion held carnivals, usually in the
Cricket Field. After the carnivals were discontinued many local organisations
held their own garden fetes during the summer. Councillor Fred Lunn of
Green Row, Methley suggested a revival of the Carnival in 1968 but this
did not succeed. In 1999 the British Legion held a Carnival and in May
2000 a Millennium Carnival was successfully held by a Committee led by
Mrs May Walker.
Carnival Float
This carnival float was an entry by the Methley Child Welfare Clinic c.1926/27.
Members of the committee are on the float plus some helpers. The 'Doctor'
is a prominent village figure, Mrs. Totty, J.P. of Bondfield Terrace,
Woodrow.
Villagers in Carnival procession
Villagers taking part in a Carnival Procession near South View, Lower
Mickletown in a revival of the Carnival, 1949.
