HERE are some long lost photos of the spectacle that was once the Southend Carnival as the event remains missing from the city's calendar.

Bawling babies - the bonny baby show at the 1934 Southend Carnival brought some tearsBawling babies - the bonny baby show at the 1934 Southend Carnival brought some tears (Image: Emma Palmer)

Our vintage gallery shows scenes from carnivals mainly in the 1920s and 1930s, the heyday of the event when it attracted tens of thousands of spectators and the procession was often five miles long.

Not lagging in the fashion department – young women at the 1937 Southend Carnival dress as convictsNot lagging in the fashion department – young women at the 1937 Southend Carnival dress as convicts (Image: Emma Palmer) Score - this mobile football field float at the 1937 Southend Carnival kicked off the processionScore - this mobile football field float at the 1937 Southend Carnival kicked off the procession (Image: Emma Palmer)

In fact, in 1927 the Southend Carnival was so amazing, it was hailed as “the finest in England”.

During the 1920s and 1930s, the carnival was held not only to entertain Southend residents and visitors but to raise money for the town’s hospital services.

Not so happy ‘newlyweds’ - tots in the children’s costume parade at the 1936 carnival look a bit glum.Not so happy ‘newlyweds’ - tots in the children’s costume parade at the 1936 carnival look a bit glum (Image: Emma Palmer) As well as the carnival procession, the crowning of the queen and the funfair, the ‘”tiny tots parade” was a popular part of the annual event.

It always saw hundreds of children dressing up in extravagant costumes in the hope of winning the best dressed trophy, though not all little ones were happy about entering, as you can see from the gallery.

Re-enactment - this scene from the 1930 carnival pictures an ‘initiate’ being ‘shaved’ before being thrown in the water during a ‘crossing the equator re-enactment’Re-enactment - this scene from the 1930 carnival pictures an ‘initiate’ being ‘shaved’ before being thrown in the water during a ‘crossing the equator re-enactment’ (Image: Emma Palmer) Regal smiles - members of the 1932 Southend Carnival courtRegal smiles - members of the 1932 Southend Carnival court (Image: Emma Palmer)

Another of the photos shows a headless Anne Boleyn making a statement at the 1937 Southend Carnival pageant.

The part of the doomed queen was being played by comedian, singer and artist Stanley Holloway, who had famously recorded the dark and humourous song “With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm” in 1934.

She’s lost her head - a headless Anne Boleyn makes a statement at the 1937 Southend Carnival pageant.jpeegShe’s lost her head - a headless Anne Boleyn makes a statement at the 1937 Southend Carnival pageant (Image: Emma Palmer) Welcome guest - an early ‘Michelin man’ makes an appearance at the 1927 carnival in SouthendWelcome guest - an early ‘Michelin man’ makes an appearance at the 1927 carnival in Southend (Image: Emma Palmer)

He is pictured in his costume chatting to a bewildered but hopefully not scared to death little girl at the carnival.

Another photo from 1929 shows an early “Michelin Man” with two friends who were part of the “continental” fancy dress category at the event.