Lynne Siequien
Island Carnival Memories.
Lynne was born and grew up in Ventnor – a member of the Gee family.
Lynne spent her childhood summers watching the Carnival sitting on her Grandparent’s front wall in St Catherine’s Street.
Lynne on Queen's float, 'Roman Chariot' 1966. Photographs belonging to Lynne Siequien.
Photograph belonging to Lynne Siequien.
1963 Ventnor Queens float, clam shell, outside St Catherine's Church, Lynne on front left.
Photograph belonging to Lynne Siequien.
What Lynne remembers most from a young age is the sight of the horses. In fact her Uncle Bill Gee rode a horse in the Carnival which was most exciting when he went past them and the horse reared up! Carnival was a big part of family life for Lynne, her Mum and Dad were both involved throughout their lifetimes – her Dad being part of the “Crazy Gang”. Lynne’s Mum entered Lynne from a young age in a variety of costumes – one particularly memorable one being when she went as a clam shell and draped in wet seaweed! Lynne has been Maid of Honour on the Ventnor Carnival Queen’s float twice – in 1963 and 1966. When Lynne married and had her own family she made costumes for her children to enter with, including Quality Street one year. Lynne’s love of Carnival has never faltered and she is now a member of Ventnor Comic Jazz Band where she can be seen playing anything from a kazoo to a ukulele in one of the many costumes from her theatre wardrobe! Lynne reminisces here with her childhood friend Bob Trowbridge about all things Ventnor Carnival.
Lynne recalls her early memories aged three - sitting on her Grandparent's wall at St Catherine's Street, watching her Uncle on his horse and the spectacle of the bands.
Lynne remembers entering into the Children's Carnival and then Junior Queen Maid of Honour in 1963.
Lynne talks about putting her own children in carnival and the different materials used in costume making over the years.
Lynne's Mum, Margaret Ann Cooper, with a decorated pram for Carnival, tableau photograph taken 1928/29. Photograph belonging to Lynne Siequien.
Lynne's Mum Margaret Ann Cooper, Little Bo Beep Carnival costume c.1931. Photograph belonging to Lynne Siequien.
1966 Lynne is Maid of Honour photo taken at home in the garden of Blendworth Terrace, Ventnor. Photograph belonging to Lynne Siequien.
1966 Lynne is Maid of Honour. Photograph belonging to Lynne Siequien.
1966 Ventnor Queen's Float, Roman chariot, Lynne in pink dress. Photograph belonging to Lynne Siequien.
1966 Queen's float with Lynne on Roman Chariot. Photograph belonging to Lynne Siequien.