Butts Stadium and Godiva Harriers

Hi Colin My friend Dean Nelson passed this one on - could've gone in a Carnival thread but thought you might be interested. 70's possibly? Dean has already shown Dave Moorcroft so you may have already seen it yourself but interesting nonetheless. Edited by member, 30th Jun 2020 11:23 am

Interesting! I wonder what the theme of the procession was that year - if there was a theme? That might help determine the year. Obviously a castle on the back of the lorry but I cannot make out any characters. Is it possible to sharpen the two adults to try to identify them? Or the two sat on the back of the lorry, one in a club vest perhaps? Can you tell what company the lorry belongs to? I have a few carnival shots from the 1920's when taking part was part of the Godiva social life. I have some from about 20 years ago when we started the parade outside the cathedral - will look them out. For many years the Council had a sports track marked out for races on the field to the left of the Earlsdon Avenue gate. I wonder if the two girls (ginger) who are walking could be sisters? I think (will check this too) the sports competition began in the evening after the procession had entered the Memorial Park and dispersed. My wife probably ran so she doesn't get any house keeping money this week until she remembers! Edited by member, 30th Jun 2020 12:01 pm

A good chance could be 1972, the theme was Fairy Tales and the newspaper has an article about a little girl wearing a costume as a serving girl to Old King Cole on the Godiva Harriers Float that her mother had worn as carnival queen 12 years before. 1970’s theme was “Fiesta”.

Colin. PM me your email and I will send you the full-size photo. Cheers

Spot on Anne... go to the top of the class and give the pens out! The lorry was loaned by Chrysler, the workers constructing the scenery. Godiva had an important young athletes match that day but we still managed to have 50 helpers on the day. Reg Payne who supervised and coached the youngsters was the 'boss' in charge, his wife, Sheila, supplying squash to the 40 tin collectors - both standing at the back of the castle. Don Faulconbridge was Old King Cole, and Don being Don, kept the kids supplied with sweets and apples all afternoon. His costume was supplied by the local vicar and Coventry Theatre their beard glue causing Don a more than a little pain on removal! I do have a list of the participants on the float if that would be of interest. Edited by member, 6th Jul 2020 6:53 pm