IT WAS a special year for Southampton Children’s Carnival as the city’s only drum majorette group made their first appearance at the event.
Although the troupe had only been formed for a few days, rehearsed three times and lost their leader through ill-health, they put on a well drilled performance on Southampton Common on July 17, 1968.
The team, known as the Pearl Brown Drum Majorettes, were all pupils of the Pearl Brown School of Dancing.
Another group to make their public debut were the Rossel Dancers, a folk group all the way from Cherbourg. They consisted of 22 singers and dancers with a piano accordionist in national costume from Normandy.
In the children’s fancy dress competition the overall winner was 5-year-old Jennifer Harrisson, of Hamble, dressed as King Charles I. She was presented with the Echo cup by Miss Cherbourg, Evelyne Frasson, and the Carnival Queen, Wendy Tannahill.
The theme for the years was great historical moments.
John Gilman ran the children’s sports and over 200 youngsters took part.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here