Western Daily Press (Saturday)
‘Dig deep’ to safeguard the future of West carnival
CARNIVAL bosses are urging carnival-goers in Weston-superMare to dig deep to protect the future of the event.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to pack into the seaside town next month to watch the illuminated parade.
But its organisers are warning the future of the event is under threat unless people donate and throw money into collection buckets. The carnival has been cancelled for the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic, with organisers using reserves to ensure this year’s procession can go ahead.
Weston Carnival chairman and chief marshal Jan Matthews said: “In the heyday of the carnival the street collection used to bring in around £22,000. But this has gradually gone down over recent years.
“In 2018 we only raised £6,000 from the street collection.”
The carnival committee aims to give half the cash raised at the collection to local charities, with the rest being used towards ongoing carnival costs.
“It costs well in excess of £10,000 a year to put the carnival on,” said Mrs Matthews. “We have to pay for things such as road closures, fencing, barriers and signs, and it all adds up.
“In recent years we have eaten into our reserves because of falling donations. We need the people who come and watch this year’s carnival to dig deep, make a donation and buy a carnival programme to make sure this wonderful event continues in the future.”
The carnival – a highlight in the resort’s calendar – returns to Weston on November 11 after a two-year Covid-enforced hiatus.
This year’s Weston parade will feature 38 carts and 26 walking entries with a slightly shorter route.
Road closures will come into place across the town from 6pm. This year’s event will see the first-ever carnival village, complete with bar, music and a close-up view of the parade, set up at the Italian Gardens.
The new ‘village’ is a partnership between Concierge UK and Weston Carnival. This year will also see the return of the grandstand seating – first introduced in 2019 – as well as VIP corporate hospitality.
Tickets for grandstand seating are available at £25. Tickets are limited and are expected to sell out quickly.
Seven carnivals constitute the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association (SCGFCA). The circuit starts with Bridgwater on the first Saturday in November each year, followed by Burnham-on-Sea on the following Monday, Weston-super-Mare on the Friday, North Petherton on the second Saturday in November, Shepton Mallet on the following Wednesday, Wells on the Friday concluding with Glastonbury on the third Saturday in November.