Combe Martin's Uncle Tom Cobley

Following the death of a carnival reveller in Bude, North Devon, an alcohol ban was imposed on all floats entering these annual events. Prior to this Uncle Tom Cobley had always installed a keg of beer to the underneath of the horse which could be poured via a tap on the nape of the horse, thus helping to provide much needed liquid refreshment to the riders.

Uncle Tom, consisting of a fine upstanding body of men, reluctantly obeyed the law of the land and duly set off to join the Ilfracombe procession. Due to the newness of the legislation the police had embarked on a very heavy over-marshalling of the parade to ensure that no alcohol was carried.

On completion of the Carnival the horse eventually stopped to take refreshment at The Eddie, Collingwood Hotel allowing the Riders to disperse into the bar having not had a drink for some time. On entering the building an overzealous Acting Inspector Hunter accused the crew of drinking during the procession. No alcohol could be found on the float as clearly the keg of beer had not been installed. He then demanded to breathalyse the tractor driver, who had been responsible for pulling the horse. Gerald Walters informed Hunter that he would have to wait 20 minutes, in accordance with the law. The crew on hearing of the fracas assembled outside only to be confronted by a circle of policemen, Black Maria and two police cars.

Hunter continued with accusations and the names of the riders were taken, however whilst taking the name and address of Norman Sanders a voice belonging to Graham Rice was heard to come through the crowd. Graham insisted that Hunter also took his name, "what am I going to tell my grandchildren if my name isn't mentioned". After some persuasion the Acting Inspector, who already had enough names, reluctantly took his down. Gerald Walters enquired as to what the charges were, Hunter informed the Riders that there would be no charges but rather a recommendation would be made to the Ilfracombe Carnival Committee that Uncle Tom Cobley should be banned from future processions.

Following this unfortunate incident Uncle Tom contacted the Carnival Committee direct stating their wish to attend the next meeting to give an account of their side of events. Many members of the community had been dismayed by the way in which the horse had been treated by the overzealous Constable, especially in light of the responsible attitude undertaken by the crew following the introduction of the new legislation.

Mr Walters and Mr Sanders (2 of the crew members) attended the next meeting along with a representative of the local constabulary. It was acknowledged by all of those present that the reaction of Acting Inspector Hunter was unjustified, furthermore Uncle Tom was cordially invited to attend the following year's Carnival, which they did and have done so ever since with great success and appreciation from Ilfraombe's town