Brighton Carnival  History

Significance to the local Community

 

This information was collected from My Brighton and Hove Community website, Brighton Museum, and The James Gray Collection. In contrast to the initial aim of attracting tourists, these memories illustrate how important the Brighton Carnival was to the local community within Brighton.

 

"When she was 14 years old, my grandmother took part in the Brighton Carnival and entered the fancy dress competition as Miss Lux in 1923, as seen in the two photographs. One of the photographs shows her outside her home at Beaufort Terrace with her dog spot, who often turned up outside her classroom at St Luke's terrace school - much to the annoyance of the teachers. The other picture, I think, is taken in Madeira Drive, just before the carnival moved off. My mother painted the Brighton Carnival poster at her school, dated June 4th 1923, to advertise the Carnival."

 

- Graham Gower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2a: Hilda Bryant as 'Miss Lux' fancy dress for Brighton Carnival, 1923.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      2b: Local children in fancy dress at Brighton Carnival, 1923.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2c: Brighton Carnival poster designed by Hilda Bryant, 4th June 1923.

 

 

It wasn't just children who dressed up for the carnival. Many adults were involved too, demonstrating the community spirit of carnival had taken hold of the whole town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2d: Adults in fancy dress on Madeira Drive, 1923.

 

Away from the seafront there was music and performances in the town centre and public areas. This photograph from the Regency Society shows an organised display of traditional dancing in the gardens of the Royal Pavilion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2e: Brighton Carnival, Pavilion Lawns, 1923.

 

As well as fancy dress parades and dancing, there was also a long procession of decorated floats and vehicles which made their way through town from the seafront. Many local businesses were involved and entered their own floats as advertising opportunities, which the staff greatly enjoyed.

 

“In the early 1920s my grandfather Lawrie Sargeant was local agent for Western Electric loudspeakers; In connection with this he entered a decorated car in the 1923 Brighton Carnival which was held along The Esplanade and Madeira Drive.... My grandmother Flo is in the car.”

 

- Tim Sargeant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2f: Western Electrics float, 1923.

 

 

A whole host of local companies and employees took part in the float procession. To find out more about the parade, including photos and a film of the entries, go to the 1923 Procession page.
 

 

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Image References:

2a: Hilda Bryant as ‘Miss Lux’ fancy dress for Brighton Carnival 1923. From the private collection of Graham Gower. http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk.

2b: Brighton Carnival fancy dress 1923. From the private collection of Graham Gower. http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk.

2c: Brighton Carnival 1923 Poster. Painted by Hilda Bryant, June 1923. From the private collection of Graham Gower. http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk.

2d: “People dressed in fancy dress celebrating The Brighton Carnival.” Photograph, 1920s. Copyright The Royal Pavilion and Museum, Brighton & Hove. Image Ref: HA902477. http://www.photosbrightonandhove.org.uk.

2e: “Brighton Carnival, Pavilion Lawns, June 1923.” Postcard, 1923. The James Gray Collection, The Regency Society. Image Ref: JG_21_144.tif.  http://regencysociety-jamesgray.com.

2f: Brighton Carnival float c.1923. From the private collection of Tim Sargeant. http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk.