Moretonhampstead Carnival Nostalgia: Photos from 1970s and 1980s

A new photo gallery published by The Guardian showcases archival images of the Moretonhampstead Carnival in Dartmoor, England, during the 1970s and 1980s. The photographs, taken by David Scragg, Adrian Scragg, and the Scragg family, capture the vibrant community celebrations, including the Furry Dance, carnival queens, majorettes, and punk rockers. The images feature local residents in elaborate costumes, such as Miss Sweetly, Major Quality, and a punk in a bowler hat, as well as events like the crowning of Carnival Queen Lesley Hill in 1979 and the Moreton Mustangs BMX Team in 1984. The gallery provides a nostalgic look at small-town British carnival traditions, highlighting the creativity and communal spirit of the era.