HISTORY OF ILFORD
Ilford Hospital Carnival
Ben Henderson
Hospital worker, Ben Henderson, came up with the idea to raise funds to build a much-needed emergency hospital for the district. He called a public meeting to discuss the possibility of starting "Hospital Saturday". Fewer than a dozen attended, but the die was cast and soon an enthusiastic and influential committee sprang into operation to develop a huge spectacular carnival. The site chosen for the hospital was a plot of freehold land in Abbey Road, Newbury Park.
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Seven Kings Ward
Downshall School
The first Ilford Hospital Carnival took place in 1905. Seven Wards participated, each following a route within its own boundary before merging with the main procession that headed towards Central (Valentines) Park. The route of Seven Kings Ward started at Downshall Schools.
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Seven Kings Ward
1905
Leading the Seven Kings procession was a banner closely followed by the band of "C." Company, 1st V.B. Essex Regiment. A coach decorated with electric lights excited the crowd - the concept of electric lighting still a novelty for many in 1905. "'Arries' 'Oliday" amused with a pair of "mokes" pulling a carriage urged forward with a bunch of carrots being dangled under their noses. Other displays included Quaker Oats, the "Bovril Bulls", "The Heptarchy - the Seven Kings", "The Guardian Car", the Leyton fire engine, decorated bicycles, 38 lady collectors in nurses' costumes accompanied by several gentlemen, and children and adults in fancy dress.
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Loxward Ward
Cleveland Road Schools
Loxford Ward's parade included cars decorated by teachers and pupils of Cleveland Road Schools. They showed the Queen of Hearts and her Court, May Day Mummers, a Japanese Group and the Snow Queen with her Maids of Honour.
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Westminster Dragoon
On Parade
Riders from the Westminster Dragoons looked very smart in their scarlet tunics, with cross-belts and swords, silver helmets and purple plumes. The brass bands were well apart so their tunes did not clash to any degree. Prizes for the cycle riders were difficult to judge due to very numerous entries and all being excellent; also public encroachment prevented all the cycles being properly seen. There were many novel ideas such as the gondola shown on the right of this picture.
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The Nursery
1905
The first Hospital Carnival was a great success with some parts continuing until nearly midnight. Some ways of raising money fared better than others; Shilling badges sold well, but "Hospital Stamps" not so much. Maybe badges were favoured because 'badged' persons were less likely to be approached by collectors a second time. One organiser was too eager when throwing a collection box over to a doctor he recognised. It resulted in the medical practitioner receiving a bruised eye and gashed cheek.
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Cheering Crowds
Along the High Road
Cheering crowds lined the entire route to watch. The entertainment continued inside the park during the evening. Ilford Swimming Club held swimming and diving displays, polo matches and team races. An amusing incident happened during the aquatic sports, a young man rowing on the lake witnessed a woman falling overboard from another boat. He immediately dived in to rescue the damsel in distress only to find it was a man dressed as a woman. A concert took place on the bandstand and elsewhere in the park the Horns Silver Band played music selections while girls from Ilford Gymnasium performed calisthenics while swinging Indian clubs.
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A Grand Pageant
Three Miles Long
Arrangements for the 1906 Hospital Saturday were fixed for July 13th beginning about three in the afternoon. Seven processions started from different points as in the previous year and later merged into one grand pageant. The entries were so numerous that the main procession from Seven Kings to Valentines Park stretched over three miles in length.
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Ye Olde Fashioned Wedding
Reward Offered
Park Ward's award-winning trade vehicle, 'Ye Olde English Wedding,' was submitted to the carnival by Ernest Frank Hart, a jobmaster who rented horses and carriages from his livery stable on Ilford Lane. During the event, a silver horseshoe disappeared from the bride's carriage. A newspaper advertisement offered a generous reward for its return. It is unclear if it was ever recovered.
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Post Office Tableau
His Majesty's Mails
The Post Office showcased "His Majesty's Mails" represented as walking pillar-boxes. Accompanying this display was a tableau featuring a servant girl posting a letter, with a postman carrying his bag nearby, ready to collect. Additionally, telegram messengers were depicted underneath telegraph wires. The scene also included postmaster Mr. S. Morgan and chief clerk Mr. C. Vyse.
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Ilford Social Cycle Club
Rival Blues
Ilford Social Cycle Club achieved second place in the Best Cycle Turn Outs category with "Rival Blues."
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Seven Kings and Goodmayes
A Tribute to Flora
Seven Kings and Goodmayes Horticultural Society presented 'A Tribute to Flora,' featuring a goddess accompanied by a group of handmaidens.
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Loxford Ward
The Fairlop Boat
After Fairlop Fair ceased to exist, the 'Fairlop Boat' still continued to make public appearances. Here, it is participating in the Loxford Ward procession of 1907.
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Cranbrook Ward
Sons of the Empire
Cranbrook Ward's 'Sons of the Empire' celebrated the British Empire. At its peak the Empire governed over 400 million people making it the largest in history. While trade and political alliances were significant, the empire also resulted in the loss of land, discrimination, and prejudice for some. Many countries gained access to education, medical services, and railway systems, others experienced civil unrest.
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Loxford Ward
A Village Social
Loxford Ward's 'A Village Social' depicted country folk enjoying an evening together in a rustic setting.
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Clementswood Ward
Oakfield Cycling Club
Rainham Town Band and the ward banner led the Clementswood procession, with Oakfield Cycling Club following closely behind. The club created an attractive tableau that represented Oakfield Kindergarten School. A refreshment float supplied by Mr. W. Harris provided milk to the school children participating in the procession.
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Ye Olde Prehistoric Whist Drive
Newmans
‘Ye Olde Prehistoric Whist Drive,’ organised by the original Newmans, offered a booby prize for men of a shark skin back scratcher, and for women, a small teak club.
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Ilford Ratepayers' Association
Butterflies
The Ilford Ratepayers' Association presented "Butterflies" during the Loxford Ward parade. On the left is a Pearly King. Henry Croft became the first Pearly King in the late 1870s. He designed a sequin suit to attract attention while promoting his fundraising efforts, thus initiating a tradition.
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Post Office Tableau
The Log Cabin
The 1908 Post Office tableau car featured a log cabin in North-West Canada, showing settlers chopping two large tree trunks and receiving letters from home. Staff constructed the cabin using real logs during their free time at the Post Office yard. Later, the cabin was sold to generate funds for the hospital.
Alongside the Log Cabin were comical representations of 'Parcel post,' 'Eggs with care,' 'Postman of a century ago,' 'Rejected parcel, too long,' 'Newspaper,' 'Telegraph messengers,' 'Letter found open and officially sealed,' and 'Registered letter.'
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A Tableau
Robin Hoods
In the 1908 carnival, there was a tableau titled 'The Robin Hoods.' It is possible that this was that exhibit, although confirmation has not been possible.
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The Wild West
Cowboys and Indians
Some of these costumes may have been influenced by the visit of showman William Frederick Cody, known as Buffalo Bill, to Ilford with his renowned Wild West Show. The event attracted large crowds who came to see performances such as 'Life on the Range,' 'Custer's Last Stand,' and horse-riding cowboys showcasing their marksmanship, along with Carter the Cowboy executing a remarkable stunt by jumping 12 metres from one ramp to another on a bicycle!
Park Ward
The Rose Arbor
The judges awarded Park Ward's "The Rose Arbor" first prize in its class. Twenty-six individuals, elegantly dressed in white, cream, pink, or dark red costumes, walked in pairs while carrying slender poles that formed arched garlands of hand-made roses. A sizable team of workers spent over five months preparing this display.
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Park Ward
Justice with Peace
Park Ward's "Justice with Peace" showcased "Justice," adorned in white silk, blindfolded, with hair styled in a Grecian manner, and seated with a drawn sword. Maidens positioned at the four corners wore white and silver dresses, olive leaf wreaths, and carried silver wands as symbols of peace. The vehicle was decorated in pale yellow and purple, complemented by pillars of yellow flowers.
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Cranbrook Ward
The Snowstorm
"The Snowstorm," was part of Cranbrook Ward's presentation in 1908. The Ilford Carnival procession that year was four miles long - the largest on record!
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Charity Dog
Joe
Joe the dog collected money for the Ilford Hospital.
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Written by Raymond Small, with clown animation (not mobiles) by Rosemarie Khan.
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