Brian and Margaret Cope
Island Carnival Memories.
Margaret was born in Ryde and lived on Garfield Road.
As a young girl – her passion for Carnival started at a young age, watching the procession with her family just in High Street just along from their house.
1981 ‘Robin Hood’ St Helen's Beavers.
Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
1981 Matthew and Graham Cope - ‘Merry Man and Friar Tuck’.
Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
1983 ‘Swag Men’ Graham Cope and friend Christopher - St Helens Carnival.
Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
Margaret was too shy to join in but loved the magnificent spectacle of the Queen’s floats decorated with fresh flowers fronted by Archie Warren on his white horse. When Margaret and Brian married they took their own children and nieces and nephews to watch - not just to Ryde - but to many of the other Island Carnivals taking place during the summer.
When Brian and Margaret moved to St Helen’s over fifty years ago their involvement with St Helen’s Carnival began, firstly with their sons through the Beavers and Cubs and then eventually leading on to them taking over the creation and construction of village float and making costumes for the Carnival Queens.
Brian and Margaret have also been integral to the Mardi Gras Children’s Carnival Parade in more recent years, co-ordinating St Helen’s Primary School entries by setting up and running their after school Carnival Club. Their dedication to Carnival is such that they even have a Carnival room in their house!
1985 Simon Cope - ‘Mr Sneezy’.
Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
1985 Graham Cope and friend Christopher ‘Back to School’ - St Helens Carnival.
Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
1985 St Helens Beavers - ‘Mr Men’.
Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
Margaret's earliest memories during the 1950s at Ryde, events at Simeon Rec, Queen's floats, when the procession went all the way up to the hospital and Archie Warren led the parade on his horse.
Margaret and Brian remember taking their own children to watch Carnival in 1970s, piling in their car with their pennies and buying a waver.
Brian and Margaret remember taking part in St Helen's Carnival with their sons when they were in Beavers and Cubs and then how they came to be involved with the making of the Queens float.
Brian and Margaret talk about the themes St Helens Queens float has had since their involvement began in 2004.
Brian and Margaret talk about ideas, stripping down, materials, their son Simon's involvement in the art work and their favourite floats.
Margaret explains how the Queens are selected and how the age range has changed over time.
Margaret recalls hand making the dresses for the Carnival Queens.
Brian and Margaret talk about their work with St Helen's primary school, how they run Carnival Club and the entries they have created for Mardi Gras.
Brian and Margaret share why they think the tradition should carry on and what it brings for the children involved.
1986 Simon Cope - Zulu. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
1986 St Helens Beavers - Zulus. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
1987 Brian Cope - Gorilla St Helens Carnival. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
1987 St Helens Beavers - Circus. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2004 - Midsummer Nights Dream. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
Mardi Gras 2014. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
Mardi Gras 2015. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
Mardi Gras 2016. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
Mardi Gras 2017. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
Mardi Gras 2018. Photographs belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2006 - Dragons. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2007 - Dolphins. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2008 - Fairies. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2009 - Bermuda. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2010 - Snow Queens. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2011 - Rainbows End. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2012 - Chinese Dragons. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2013 - Birds of Paradise. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2014 - Queen Bees. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2015 - Octopussies Garden. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
Mardi Gras 2019. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2016 - Queen of Sheba. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2017 - Sergeant Pepper. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2018 - Starry Nights. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.
St Helens Queens 2019 - Goose Island. Photograph belonging to Brian and Margaret Cope.