Major West attraction falls victim to Covid-19

ONE of the West’s biggest annual attractions has fallen victim to the pandemic for a second successive year.

Until 2020 Bridgwater Carnival had happened in every year since 1881 outside the two world wars.

But it and the other six major carnivals that make up the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association (SCGFCA) circuit yesterday announced they will not be held this autumn.

More than 100,000 people usually descend on Bridgwater for its carnival, and other towns such as Weston-super-Mare also get bumper crowds.

The illuminated floats that entertain the crowds need months of preparation by scores of people to create the spectacle beloved by thousands.

The ongoing pandemic means there is uncertainty around hosting major public events and social distancing requirements make working on the floats themselves challenging.

The decision followed a meeting between the SCGFCA comprising the seven carnival towns – Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Weston-superMare, North Petherton, Shepton Mallet, Wells and Glastonbury - and the three organisations which represent the entries: Bridgwater Gangs & Features, Mid Somerset Gangs &

Features and the Associates.

Organisers said the current uncertainty about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic led to the decision.

David Churches, SCGFCA secretary, said: “It was an extremely hard decision for us to make but in the current financial climate and with so much uncertainty still present in terms of the risk from the virus, we felt this was the most sensible option for us all.

“Time is not on our side for our carnivals which are held in November, and the lockdown restrictions over the past 12 months have seriously limited the fundraising opportunities for our towns, carnival clubs and walking groups.

“When this is combined with the ongoing social distancing arrangements, there is very little chance in raising the necessary monies needed to put on such spectacular events or indeed building the amazing entries we have become accustomed to over the years.”

Annually the seven carnivals attract hundreds of thousands of people to the streets of Somerset and raise a huge amount of money for charities and good causes.

“I am sure many members of the public and carnival lovers will be disappointed by this news, and we look forward to welcoming them back to our carnivals as we know them in 2022,” added David.

The carnivals are the biggest illuminated parades in Europe.