Parade organisers announce a 16-year-old boy will be their ‘carnival queen’ – then call in police amid angry backlash
- Outrage as Ringwood Carnival names teenage boy as ‘carnival queen’
- Locals fume at ‘woke, ideological stance’ as police called to assess threats
Organisers of a carnival event have called in the police following a backlash – after announcing this year’s ‘queen’ would be a 16-year-old boy.
Ringwood Carnival bosses have now withdrawn the announcement that the youngster would be leading proceedings after online trolls hit out at the ‘woke, ideological’ decision.
Last year, it named a 16-year-old girl as ‘carnival queen’, and she was paraded through the streets on a horse-drawn carriage.
Following trolling, organisers have instead appointed the boy, named only as James, as a carnival ‘ambassador’ – and called in Hampshire Police to assess the viability of threats of ‘disruption and abusive language’.
Promoters of the traditional event in the Hampshire town, a few miles north-east of Bournemouth, have hit out at abusive followers and said the teen had been left ‘upset’ by the backlash.
A previous Ringwood Carnival event in Ringwood, Hampshire. The event sees the town transformed into an all-day party with processions, stalls, a fun fair, fireworks and live music
The Ringwood Carnival has been held every year since 1928, with breaks only taken during the Second World War and the coronavirus pandemic
A Facebook post by organisers included claims that they had been subjected to ‘threats of disruption and abusive language’ following the announcement
They have convened a ‘carnival court’ made up of James, local civic heads and carnival ‘princesses’ from local schools – who will travel separately in the parade on September 16.
A post on the carnival’s Facebook page read: ‘Since that time [announcing James as queen], due to some threats of disruption and abusive language (both publicly and privately), we have referred to the police for a safety review and evaluated any potential risks and safety concerns.
‘James is well, although upset. He is still keen to be a part of the carnival but will be taking on a slightly different role as Ambassador.
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‘As James is over 16, he is able to make these decisions himself and we and his family support him.
‘For the safety and wellbeing of everybody, the Carnival committee has now formed a Carnival Court.
‘The Carnival Court will travel across a number of vehicles, with James travelling separately – all led by the truly magnificent Sampson Percheron Horses.’
Organisers added: ‘Carnival is organised and delivered to the town by a committee of 15 volunteers, who put in an incredible amount of work to make this event happen.
‘Public and private online abuse is something that nobody wishes to receive. We are grateful, however, to all those who have given feedback constructively.
‘So let’s all move forward unanimously. So, we politely request to cease negative comments, and let’s all move forward positively whilst respecting each other’s views or opinions.’
Comments were disabled on the latest post – but the backlash has continued elsewhere on the Ringwood Carnival’s Facebook page.
One local wrote: ‘Absolutely astonishing that (since I can’t post on the actual statement) that you are so incensed about a backlash YOU HAVE ENTIRELY CAUSED YOURSELVES.
‘Boys are NOT girls. If you wanted a boy to be your figurehead make him Carnival King or Prince.
‘You people talk about creating a day of celebration and fun for friends and family and in the exact same instance impose a woke, ideological stance on the whole thing, thereby completely undermining YOUR OWN EVENT.’
Another said: ‘For as long as they av camp teenagers pretending to be little girls being carnival queen! Yous are all ruining a tradition from a carnival veteran im ashamed to even of attending one of these events!’
Reaction to the appointment of a 16-year-old boy as ‘queen’ of Ringwood Carnival has been mixed. Some say they are ‘ashamed’ of attending, but a former carnival ‘princess’ has defended organisers
However, Stephanie Dearden, a former Ringwood Carnival princess, has defended appointing James a ‘queen’.
She wrote on social media: ‘The fact that police had to become involved in this is just a tad ridiculous.
‘Anyone who has that big a problem with a lad being carnival queen (a made up, pretend title for a small town carnival) needs to seriously give their heads a wobble.
‘Online abuse & disruption threats to the organisers and James himself?! what is wrong with you? it not that serious, get over it and yourselves.
‘Congratulations on your win Queen (Ambassador) James, from a former Ringwood Carnival Princess.’
Ringwood Carnival has been held annually since 1928, with breaks only for the Second World War and a two-year hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic.
The event sees the town transformed into an all-day party with processions, stalls, a fun fair, fireworks and live music.
Last year’s event was held on September 17, nine days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and featured two minute-long applauses in tribute to the monarch.
Regular features of the event are a ‘Mad Max’ parade (above) and a horse-drawn carriage carrying the ‘carnival queen’ – this year renamed an ‘ambassador’ following a backlash
A previous Ringwood Carnival event. Locals have hit out at organisers for imposing a ‘woke, ideological stance’ on the event but others have defended their conduct
Other carnivals have been modernising titles such as ‘king’ and ‘queen’, replacing them with more inclusive terms.
The 126-year-old Whitstable Carnival dropped its king and queen titles this year, replacing them with a single ‘icon’ who, organisers say, will best represent the ‘bonkers’ spirit of the town, according to Kent Online.
And Sussex World reported in 2018 that the Hastings Carnival appointed Sophia Alexa Evans, a transgender woman, as an ‘attendant’ alongside a ‘Sea King and Queen’.
Organisers said at the time: ‘We were very concerned how they would be accepted by the community and other carnivals.
‘They have been more than accepted they have been welcomed by everybody as the way ahead.’
A spokesperson for Hampshire Police told MailOnline: ‘As a Constabulary, we work closely with event organisers of all sizes across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, both in the lead up to and during the event, to ensure the appropriate security plans are in place.
‘We will offer advice where appropriate and necessary to event organisers – including where improvements may need to be made – which may include issues pertaining to safety.’
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