Enthusiastic crowds lined Ventnor’s streets on a balmy summer evening on Saturday (13th August) to support the return of the country’s 2nd oldest carnival’s illuminated procession after a 2-year COVID-enforced break.
The highlight of the colourful and vibrant parade was the appearance of the Ventnor Comic Jazz band, who have recently returned from the Queen’s Jubilee Pageant celebrations in London. The Medina marching band provided more conventional musical accompaniment to the parade.
Other memorable entries included a Freddie Mercury impersonator, who drew his inspiration from the housewife in the video of the Queen blockbuster hit I want to break free. There was also a pirate ship complete with raucous buccaneers and dancers drawing inspiration from the Mexican “Night of the Dead”.
The main Island towns provided Carnival Queens in colourful and imaginative floats, and a great time was had by spectators and participants alike.
It was a good carnival week, and I am grateful for the whole day off from my company. Likewise, my father-in-law’s funeral. Very compassionate of them. However, when I returned to my duties I was informed that baggage searching will be conducted when we leave the premises each day…. So nice that they trusted me enough to employ me, but now don’t trust me enough not to do myself out of a job. What next? Clothing search, strip search, or full cavity? Good luck with that. I was in the Navy. No reaction all round.
Yeah, that’s not on, if it’s not in your contract. Basically calling all staff thieves and criminals, typical multi national attitude I’m afraid, doesn’t work in a small company at all. Just another way of getting rid of experienced staff and taking on younger people on less wages, after all with an effective pay cut and hours cut already, and having to grovel if you want to get a 2nd job. Enough is enough. The carnival looks great by the way.