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2014 Clacton Carnival Queen Chyanne Hooks
My name is Chyanne Alice Hooks, but to my friends and
family I’m known as Chy. I will be representing Clacton as this year’s Carnival
Queen with my two princesses, Teegan and Mia. I’m 17 and currently studying for
my A-levels in Maths, English Literature and Drama & Theatre Studies at Tendring
Technology College. I hope to go on to university to study Theatre and
Entertainment (Events) Management.
When I’m not at school, I spend a lot of my time volunteering as a stage manager
and follow spot operator at the
West Cliff Theatre,
Clacton. Recently I helped with an Abba Tribute Band Tour and next month I’m
working with Jimmy Cricket, the old school Comedian that often comes down to
Clacton. I also help with a local amateur dramatic group called
The Mad about
Theatre Company both on stage and behind
the scenes. Well, I say behind the scenes but for the next show I will be on
front of house duty.
I
have helped out with the carnival for several years (seven to be exact) with my
Girl Guide Unit, 1st
Clacton-on-Sea. This was my first entrée as Carnival Court and was a very big
surprise that I was chosen. My friends, including my guiders said I should go
for it and so I did.
I want to say a big thank-you
to everyone that helped with the selection night; the judges, the marshals, the
compares, the committee, the Tavern Bar and Rodger’s Roadshow for the music
(Sorry if I missed anyone out).
I also want to say a very big thank-you to my
best friend Chloe, who came with me and supported me on the night. I can’t wait
to be working with some really wonderfully people and I’m sure that we’ll all
have fun.
XXX
Photo-shoot for the Clacton Daily Gazette
It still feels really surreal, but it was a lot of fun.
The morning after being crown the Carnival Court 2014 Teegan, Mia and I along
with our chaperones Niki, Carol and Amy met a Clacton Pier for a photo-shoot
with a photographer for the Clacton Daily Gazette. I’ve never really done a
photo-shoot for a newspaper; I’ve been in the newspaper before for such things
as St. Helena Hospice sports day but the photos for that was more a capture the
moment thing.
Afterwards we all went for a coffee and a chat. I really
appreciated that because it gave me a chance to get to known the team better. I
still felt a little bit nervous, but after that I felt more relaxed.
Thanks everyone, xxx.
(13th April, 2014)
Only Cowards Carry Fundraiser
For our first
outing/ duty as this year’s carnival court we were invited to attend the Only
Cowards Carry fundraiser at the Clacton Football ground and club. Teegan and Mia
were very excited because we got to meet Sam Callahan from the Xfactor 2013
straight after his performance. We stood on the side of stage while he
performed, which was a really cool experience despite me not knowing who he was
(sorry Sam fans). We also got to meet Lydia Lucy also from Xfactor the same
year. I felt quite honoured to be invited to the fundraiser, especially as this
charity is close to my heart. I went to the same college as Jay. I didn’t know
him fully, just another familiar face round the school but I didn’t feel right
without him there. I’m so glad that so many people turned out to make it such an
amazing event.
…Still thinking about you Jay. xxx
14/06/14
Little Clacton Carnival
Today was our first carnival procession and the first time we
got to see the float. I love it. Debbie Davey and Jenine did an amazing job. I
didn’t expect it. The flowers and the bunter was a real sweet treat.
Despite it being small it was a lot of fun. Waving and
greeting people, even if some shouted abuse like “why aren’t you revising” (thanks Hannah). There weren’t any other
courts or floats (apparently there was supposed to a float for a group but it
broke down). I think what made this even more special, especially for Teegan was
how dedicated people were to coming to see us. Teegan’s Nan and Uncles ad flown
in from Malta just to see her; they didn’t even tell her mum that they were
coming. #family_love
16/06/14
Poster Competition
Wow, I didn’t realise
how many people take part in the yearly poster competition let alone how many
get to win a certificate. There were a lot of families and friends that turned
up with smiling faces, well almost. I feel sorry for the younger sibling who
didn’t win that had to turn up to support the older one. But not as sorry as I
was for the little girl that had one, but couldn’t turn up because she had
chicken pox. Bless, her dad turned up to collect the certificate for her.
Thank-you to Caroline and the staff at Space Kingdom for
supporting the Carnival and for the vouchers for the poster winners. xxx
21/06/14
Brightlingsea Carnival
Today was our first big
carnival, competing against other courts for trophies and titles. Mandy and
Carol picked us up at about half past ten and we were there for about eleven.
The other courts looked so beautiful all dressed up in their snowy white dresses
and brightly coloured princess (and prince for Great Bentley). I was a little
bit nervous and shy at first but it was so obvious that the other girls were
feeling the same that I soon felt at ease. At twelve o’clock, after walking
around and talking to the other courts we were judged.
The judges were so friendly.
Thank-you Brightlingsea
committee for inviting us, the judges for awarding us 2nd prize for Carnival
Queen and Charlie for being so warming today. Congratulations to Braintree for
winning 1st
for Queen and Princesses, Walton for winning 1st
place for best float, 2nd
place float Coggeshall and 3rd
prize Carnival Queen Burnham-on-Crouch.
Can’t
wait to see you all again next week at Great Bentley. xxx
28/06/14
Greatly Bentley Carnival
I had heard that
Great Bentley Carnival was popular, but I didn’t realise how popular. There were
quiet a lot of visiting courts, several had travelled a fair way to get there
like Invicta Kent and Horsley. Great Bentley’s Carnival Queen is part of the
guild so there were courts that belong to the guild as well. They were all so
friendly. Great Bentley’s court is so adorable. There Queen has got to be
younger than Mia and the Queen’s brother is the Prince of the Court.
The weather held
off for the procession which meant there were a lot of people about. It would
have been an amazing fate as well. A fun world had rolled in with rides like
spinning cups and waltzes, etc.; shame that the storm clouds had to roll in as
well. It hammered it down just as we pulled into the arena. We were quickly
rushed up some stairs to this flatbed lorry where seating was placed for us to
watch the organisations collect their trophies. Yay, Girl Guides won something.
Afterwards we all huddled into a gazebo for tea. We were so packed in that
nobody dared to move. It was raining so hard that nobody wanted to risk it and
run for the toilet. Shame because it would have been an amazing day.
Xxx
12/07/14
Witham Carnival
It’s funny how
the other courts are introduced to the public. Witham changes over courts on the
day of the procession, meaning that they had two courts, 2013 and 2014 in the
procession at the same time. In that way it’s kind of sad because it means that
one court is not the main focus of the procession and that we had to say goodbye
to Queen Alice (L).
Oh well, it was still a nice day. The weather held off (yay!).
Again, this was
quiet a popular carnival, or it may have been well supported by the local
companies with floats. Another reason why today was sad was because that during
that week the local football club lost their chairman. There was a two minute
silence in his memory.
After the
procession we walk as a large group into an arena where we watched the
majorette’s parade in and then be rewarded their trophies/awards. We then went
into the Masonic Hall for Queen’s Tea. Why is it called Queen’s Tea? The
Princesses and Marshalls and Chaperones attend as well! Oh well.
Xxx
19/07/14
Today Teegan, Mia and I went to help Debbie West sell raffle
tickets at Morrison’s Supermarket. It felt a bit weird walking round a
supermarket in full dress. You don’t normally see someone walking round in a
ball gown, do you? We thought it was best, and we felt more comfortable selling
tickets outside the building. Unfortunately we were competing against an animal
trust charity that was trying to get donations. We still managed to sell a lot
of tickets including full books in one go. I think I surprised Teegan and Mia a
bit because I started to sound like a market trader shouting out deals.
J
02/08/14
B&M Opening
Yay, we got to attend the B&M store opening at the Waterglade
Shopping Park.
It was already busy
by the time we got there at about quarter to nine. The queue was stretching half
way round the B&M side of the car park. It was a lot of fun. We got to look
round the store before the public got in. The staff all seemed really friendly.
We then went outside to have photos with the staff, the managers and the RNLI
who were also invited. The Managers, well one of them got to cut the ribbon.
After photos we went inside to welcome the customers in. Just before we went
home the managers gave us a bunch of flowers each, which was very kind of them.
Xxx
09/08/14
CLACTON
CARNIVAL TIME! Finally it’s our procession. And what’s even better is that we
got sponsored. So at eleven o’clock Teegan, Mia and I met to go get are hair and
make-up done at Ultraviolet. Then it was off home for a couple of hours before
the main event.
At about half past
three Mandy and Carol picked us up and took us down to the field next to the
airfield where the procession was to start. Unfortunately for this year someone
forgot to tell the annual circus when Carnival is because they were also on the
field as we were. Other than that everything was fine. We had many floats and
organisations taking part all dressed up in costumes and/or themes from fairy
tales. We had quite a few visiting courts as well; some had even done Mersey
Carnival the same day and then rushed to ours. There were loads of people turned
up to watch us as well.
I think I kind of
embarrassed Mia a little at the Queen’s Tea. It’s her birthday tomorrow so I got
the other courts and marshals that were in the hall to sing her happy birthday.
The food which was organised by the ladies of the Inner Circle was amazing.
Homemade cakes and decorations! The Queens got to keep the flowers that were
placed on the table. Thank-you Ladies and Alan Primmer for organising a
brilliant procession, the chaperons and the marshals and any-one else I’ve
forgotten.
10/08/14
MIA’s Birthday
Sunday Show and Family Fun Day
Despite the weather, today was a lot of fun. Okay, so we
didn’t make us much money as predicted because not so many people turned up, but
those that did seemed to enjoy it. A lot of the marshals had to run the stalls
as the organisations that signed up to do it pulled out because of the weather
so the field was a sea of yellow high vis. Jackets but we all had a laugh. The
dog show was thoroughly enjoyed. Shame it was too windy for the birds to be
flown otherwise that would have been the main attraction.
11/08/14
Donkey Derby Night
Today’s weather was a lot better, so a lot more people turned
out for the Donkey Derby. This event normally attracts more people than the
family fun day, but not as much as the fireworks. I love the donkeys, well I
love most animals. We got to start off the races and give out the rosettes as
well, which was a lot of fun. Of course there was the annual dad’s race as well,
though this year a mum had signed up to run it as well. Good for her, why should
it be just a male thing. After watching the dad race Teegan thought it would be
a good idea if we had a race. Obviously I came last; I’m not so good at running
in wellie boots. Mia took the short cut and ducked under the racing lines.
Hopefully we raised a fair bit of money through tonight’s event. Some of
mine and Teegan’s friends won a few of the races.
12/08/14
Bowling at the Pavilion
I love playing bowling, even more when I get to play in order
to raise money for charity. There were quite a few teams which was also a good
thing. More competition, (yay) more money raised. During the evening Teegan, Mia
and I were walking round selling raffle tickets which was also fairly popular.
It was a little difficult because we could only sell raffle tickets to those who
were bowling as part of the carnival. Tuesday nights is half prize bowling night
at the Pavilion, which meant that there were a lot of groups and families who
were not there for the carnival. It was difficult because it was hard to tell
who was with which organisation. Oh well, I think everyone had a great night out
all round. I think it’s funny how the carnival juniors beat all the adult teams
and that it was a carnival committee group that one. Teegan, Mia and I were also
part of a committee team; the Queen’s team, consisting of Amy, Kim, Emma,
Teegan, Mia and I. That meant we had queens from 2011-2014.
xxx
13/08/14
Beach Day
Today was one of those split days; an event at about midday
and then another one in the evening. First it was the children’s sand castle
competition of the second beach from the pier. There were some really amazing
ideas. Many families came prepared with trawls and dolls for decorations. It was
really difficult to judge them. Amy and I judged the pairs, while Teegan,
Kimberley and Mia judged the other three categories. Some castles were theme,
for instance there was a tropical island one which had volcanos attached to it.
Five of the fifteen/sixteen pairs decided to make sculptures. There were two
elephants, a mermaid with a seaweed tail, a turtle also made out of seaweed and
a whale which was decorated with stones that represented the barnacle that
sometimes grows on real whales. Afterwards there was a hula-hoop competition.
They made it look so easy and effortless.
In the evening it was time for the egg throw competition and
the Beer & Juice dig. There were a lot of people that turned out for this,
mostly men. The crowd was so busy that I kept loosing Teegan and Mia in amongst
the people.
It was a lot of fun
watching people throwing the eggs, well it was more their reactions when the
eggs broke either on the hands or sometime in their hair. The beer dig seemed a
lot harder than I thought. It seemed to take ages for all, or most of the
tickets to be found. Well at least the cash prize token was found. Overall, it
was a fantastic night.
Xxx
14/08/14
Fete & Fireworks
(Results Day)
Scary day for both Kimberley and I; it’s a-level results day,
but lucky for both of us as we’ve both got into our top chosen university. Well
Institute in my case.
Anyway, back to carnival. It’s the big event. Ok second big
event, next to the procession. Tonight was the mammoth fete and fireworks.
Stalls were up and running, displays were up and everything seemed to be running
smoothly. Well, it seemed it from where Teegan, Mia and I were standing by the
East Cliff Gate selling raffle tickets. Those that I spoke to seemed to be
enjoying the evening. It wasn’t until it was time to set the fireworks off that
we became aware of the problem. I’m slightly unsure of what the problem was and
I don’t want to speculate so I won’t say anything. When the display went off, it
was very pretty. It didn’t flow properly, but I suppose that was caused by
whatever the problem was.
After the fireworks, it was time to draw the cash prize
raffle. Three prizes, three winners, three members of the court. I pulled out
the first place ticket, while Teegan and Mia pulled out second and third. Then
it was home for bed before getting up for the final day of Clacton carnival
events.
Well
done Kimberley for getting into University.
Xxx
15/08/14
Children’s fancy Dress Competition & Quiz Night
Another split day of events. In the early afternoon it was the
children’s fancy dress. There was a wide range of costumes ranging from Disney
princess dresses to people going out of their way to make full blown outfits.
Someone came as a Lego character with a bucket with holes cut in for the head.
There was Peter Pan’s shadow as well, which was mainly consisted of a black
morph suit with black accessories. George, who played the shadow, won overall
which was obviously well deserved. A Rapunzel with a cardboard cut-out tower
which also won a different category.
After being home for a couple of hours rest it was time for
the charity quiz night. It was very popular; 27 teams of maximum six. To start
off with Teegan, Mia and I were walking round selling raffle tickets, which was
yet again rather popular. Our main duty of the night was to collect the answer
sheets after each round and the jokers for the up-coming round. It was a little
tight getting round and in between, which made it tricky to not get anything
down our dresses because we wouldn’t have time to get them washed before
tomorrow’s carnival at Walton. I think we came off unscathed. In the end I think
tonight was very successful.
Xxx
16/08/14
Walton Carnival Procession
Another Carnival Procession and another one with good weather.
Okay it was a bit cold and breezy when the clouds passed over the sun, but it
was alright if we wore our caps. Judging was very quick and subtle but I enjoyed
watching the majorette’s displays. After the procession through town, ending in
amongst the rides and park that had been set up, we walked through the Haven
Caravan Park to the club house where we were going to have our Queen’s tea.
There was a bit of a wait because they weren’t expecting us until about four,
but it was alright as we spent our time talking to the other courts. Little
Izzy, who had dressed up in a Alice-in-Wonderland costume (as she kept
correcting people, because it wasn’t a dress; it was a costume) and had ridden
of the float for the procession as our Rosebud Queen was running up and down the
hill with Brightlingsea Rosebud playing it. I could just see one of them running
into the wall or tripping over. I really liked the table decorations which were
laid out when we went into the club house. Teegan and Mia kept arguing over who
was going to keep the sweet jar. Oh well, it was a lot of fun.
xxx
Unfortunatly Chyanne Has had to Re-locate to liverpool For University and 2013 queen Kimberley has Kindly agreed to deputise for Her so the 2014 diary will continue on Kimberleys page Here