Trancription:

In the year 1986 I was a social worker for the Northamptonshire County Council, based at Isebrooke Hospital also covering Finedon Community.

1986 was a very happy but busy year as together with my team of Home Helps we spent almost every spare minute scheming, cajoling, begging, painting, sewing and designing a carnival float. Originally the plan was just to do it for Finedon to show the community who we were and what we did. At first it was just a very little idea but, my goodness, we did not realise what we were taking on.

Once we had the idea of CARE BEARS it just grew, we visited a box factory and begged boxes big enough to hold a person. We got them delivered to my home; fortunately I had a large garden and house at the time. We cut and shaped the cartons and then put three coats of emulsion on each. We approached local businesses for help which was given so willingly. A lorry had to be found and a driver.

Then outfits were made by one of the girls, we commandeered bed spreads and she cut and machined everyone, how she did it I do not know. She also designed and made the lettered frill to put along the bottom of the lorry. We made hundreds of paper flowers. The day before the carnival we made up three dozen baskets of flowers and greenery for further decoration. It really did look beautiful. We borrowed the small chairs from the infant school for us to sit on - nothing was fixed, the chairs were just put on the lorry. The health and safety of today would have a field day. At the time it did not bother us but when I really think about it I shudder to think what might have happened. We won the Finedon Cup and the decided it would be a waste just to throw everything on the tip so entered the Kettering Carnival, and as we went through the town it was so emotional. The crowds just cheered and clapped as we went on. I was thankful for my costume because the tears just streamed down my face. When we got to Rockingham Road Park, I didn't even think of winning and two people were quite persistently in our way as we tried to get away, back to the float. I was told later that one of the organizers could tell we were intent on leaving and afraid we would be gone before the announcement was made that we had won the Wicksteed Trophy for the best float in the parade.

We entered the Burton Latimer Carnival, again getting a cup but by then the float was very tired looking and we reluctantly went to the local tip, and that was that. A very sad moment.

I enclose some snaps which you might find interesting. No one else will want them when I have gone.

June Preedy. Kettering.