Rod Warne
Island Carnival Memories.
Rod grew up in Newport and remembers watching Newport Carnival aged three or four with his Grandmother at South Street.
He recalls the sight of the band leading the procession, with their drums and sticks flying, as incredible.
1st Newport Old Guard Scout Band parading in Newport.
Photograph belonging to Rod Warne.
The Band was 1st Newport Old Guard Scout Band and at age ten Rod joined them and worked his way up over the years to become Lead Drummer. 1st Newport Old Guard Band was a mainstay of not just of Newport Carnival (it being their home town) but of many of the other Island Carnivals which the marching bands competed to lead. The music of the marching bands has been a huge part of the Island Carnival tradition over the years and Rod remembers when some of the Carnivals had four or five bands taking part spread throughout the procession.
“Carnivals were great fun. Ventnor was always the hardest ‘cos of all the hills. Everyone used to not look forward to Ventnor. The best one was always Ryde. Ryde was always the longest and coming down through Union Street always used to stop in two or three places and do a static display and get people involved……. we used to do a thing called the ‘Pied Piper’ sometimes where we invited people out of the crowd…….to march behind us in the Band and we used to do all the crossovers and odds and sods like that just to get people behind us, you know, which a lot of the little kids liked as well.”
Rod remembers watching Newport Carnival from South Street with his Grandmother.
Rod talks about his uniform, becoming a drummer and the type of drum he played.
Rod talks about the size of the band and the requirements to join, rehearsals, leading the parade and getting the crowd involved.
Rod remembers the events in Vectis field for Newport Carnival and when the Scout Band had two engagements in one day - Children's Carnival and evening procession.
Rod remembers his band masters and the Old Old Guard Reunions that played at Newport Carnival in the 90s.
Rod's Mother Newport Carnival Challenge Cup. Photograph belonging to Rod Warne.
Rod's Mother decorated pram Newport Carnival. Photograph belonging to Rod Warne.
Rod's Mother decorated pram entry Newport Carnival. Photograph belonging to Rod Warne.
1st Newport Old Guard Scout Band Rod in front Remembrance Parade. Photograph belonging to Rod Warne.
1973 1st Newport Old Guard Scout Band at Ryde Carnival. Photograph belonging to Rod Warne.
Band at Coppins Bridge starting Newport Carnival date unknown. Photograph belonging to Rod Warne.
Band in Newport High Street Rod as Drum Major c.1993. Photograph belonging to Rod Warne.