It’s going to be a feast of nostalgia, childhood memories and stories from the past when the people, in and around the Hampshire village of Titchfield, gather together to reminisce about times gone by.

The “Titchfield Carnival and Memorabilia Nostalgia Afternoon’’ will take place on Sunday, when anyone with photographs or items from previous decades are invited to go along to the Parish Rooms and share their recollections.

It is organised by The Titchfield Bonfire Boys (TBBS), the group behind many local events, including the well known carnival, which takes place every autumn.

For three hours from 2pm the doors will be open for people to share any evocative memories they may have of Titchfield, while an expert will be on hand to digitally scan any old photographs, which will form part of the village’s historical archives.

Daily Echo: FUN: Workers from Titchfield Tannery with their float decorated with leather hides. Thought to be from the 1940s.FUN: Workers from Titchfield Tannery with their float decorated with leather hides. Thought to be from the 1940s.

Ann Whyntie, the TBBS chairman, said: “ The last time we held a similar nostalgia afternoon it was such a great success that we decided to arrange another event.

“There must be so many wonderful old photographs and memorabilia tucked away in people’s homes, which would give a fascinating insight into the life and times of the village and the surrounding area. Everyone will be welcome.’’ According to the TBBS official history the actual date of the first Titchfield Carnival is shrouded in the mists of time, but the society, which now runs the procession has adopted 1880 as the date of its foundation, but another mentions 1882.

The first meeting recorded in the Hampshire Telegraph was at the Temperance Hall in 1887 to decide on the date of the carnival.

Daily Echo: WAR RELIEF: This picture, taken during the Second World War, shows women and children walking South Street in Titchfield, keeping the tradition alive during a difficult time.WAR RELIEF: This picture, taken during the Second World War, shows women and children walking South Street in Titchfield, keeping the tradition alive during a difficult time.

Apparently mystery surrounds why the carnival first took place. Many reasons have been put forward to explain its origins. Some say it just developed from the November 5 bonfire celebrations; others reckon TBBS revived a tradition of riotous celebrations connected with a defunct autumn fair. But the favourite story tells of a demonstration, including the burning of a tar barrel effigy of a local anti-hero.

Quite who had fallen out of favour is a mystery but it is suggested that it could be the Third Earl of Southampton, but he died over 250 years before the formation of TBBS in 1880.

“No full description of the carnival comes to light until 1894, when the local paper records that TBBS paraded round the town in costume with a guy and rocket stand on a trolley,’’ says the history book.

“In the evening they were accompanied by the Titchfield Drum and Fife Band and torch bearers to a paddock belonging to Mr Wilkins of the Bugle, where there was a ‘pretty display of fireworks’.

“Three years later the display seems to have grown, because there were people in the procession and a bonfire 20ft high and 40ft round in “Bells Field”, Coach Hill, together with fireworks.

“In 1898 there were some interesting tableaux: ‘The last stand of General Gordon in 1884’ escorted by a guard of lancers in white helmets, and the Khalifa was burnt in effigy.

Titchfield Carnival and Memorabilia Nostalgia Afternoon, will be held on Sunday, February 13, Titchfield Parish Rooms, from 2pm to 5pm. Admission will be £2, which includes refreshments.