Belinda Bennett provides a round-up of South West illuminated carnivals
WHEN my eyes lock on the most colourful of our carnival contenders, I feel a rush. I also feel a pang of jealousy. In my heart of hearts, I don't want to be standing in the crowds, a mere bystander, I want to be up there, on a float, being part of the action. They all laughed at Honiton and District Carnival's sponsors' night when I confided all, but I truly have dreamt of appearing out of the night on a trapeze - swinging on a string of lights. A sight for sore eyes! Truth is, I've had my chance. Well, sort of... After five or six years on duty as road crew, I was destined for a starring role on this year's East Devon circuit. It's true! I was to be a Pink Lady. The wig (pink, of course) and outfit were in my eager hands. All I had to do was put them on and learn a dance routine. Sounds simple, doesn't it? The fancy dress was perfect. With a LOT of make-up, I doubted anyone would recognise me. I could really let myself go in the name of carnival. I came a cropper when I attempted the dance routine. Someone 30 years younger (who obviously doesn't smoke) had put it together, and I wasn't sure I'd have the stamina to carry it off along an entire route. Points mean prizes, you understand. I didn't want to be a let-down. Plus, my daughter said I looked stupid. In all of about 30 seconds, I came to the conclusion that I'm probably best off in my tried and tested place - in the street, keeping the public safe and carnival alive, wearing a fluorescent jacket. I don't regret my snap decision. A couple of years ago, I was a prize-winning walking entry at Newton Poppleford. I kid you not. I was Spirit of the Sun and I even managed to beat one of the Tuttys! It was a one off, though. I made the outfit in two days (and nights), inspired by the Millers, Elswoods and Males, all from Ilminster, but felt a bit red-faced under my gold paint as I passed dozens of people I know - including a neighbour, who's a member of a club from Colyton, and a former boss. I'm not cut out for the bright lights, I've decided. Best I stay in the shadows.
WHEN my eyes lock on the most colourful of our carnival contenders, I feel a rush.
I also feel a pang of jealousy. In my heart of hearts, I don't want to be standing in the crowds, a mere bystander, I want to be up there, on a float, being part of the action.
They all laughed at Honiton and District Carnival's sponsors' night when I confided all, but I truly have dreamt of appearing out of the night on a trapeze - swinging on a string of lights. A sight for sore eyes!
Truth is, I've had my chance. Well, sort of...
After five or six years on duty as road crew, I was destined for a starring role on this year's East Devon circuit.
It's true! I was to be a Pink Lady.
The wig (pink, of course) and outfit were in my eager hands. All I had to do was put them on and learn a dance routine.
Sounds simple, doesn't it?
The fancy dress was perfect. With a LOT of make-up, I doubted anyone would recognise me. I could really let myself go in the name of carnival.
I came a cropper when I attempted the dance routine. Someone 30 years younger (who obviously doesn't smoke) had put it together, and I wasn't sure I'd have the stamina to carry it off along an entire route. Points mean prizes, you understand. I didn't want to be a let-down.
Plus, my daughter said I looked stupid.
In all of about 30 seconds, I came to the conclusion that I'm probably best off in my tried and tested place - in the street, keeping the public safe and carnival alive, wearing a fluorescent jacket.
I don't regret my snap decision.
A couple of years ago, I was a prize-winning walking entry at Newton Poppleford.
I kid you not. I was Spirit of the Sun and I even managed to beat one of the Tuttys!
It was a one off, though. I made the outfit in two days (and nights), inspired by the Millers, Elswoods and Males, all from Ilminster, but felt a bit red-faced under my gold paint as I passed dozens of people I know - including a neighbour, who's a member of a club from Colyton, and a former boss.
I'm not cut out for the bright lights, I've decided.
Best I stay in the shadows.
AS Broadclyst Carnival braved a night under the watchful gaze of circuit officials, carnivalites were torn between the East Devon village and carnival country, Ilminster. Organisers of the Broadclyst event are hopeful that last Saturday's procession, viewed as a "trial run", will win it a place on the East Devon circuit next year. Circuit official Derek Marchant was a prominent figure during the night. A decision will be announced early in 2008. Carnival chairman Roy Elkins told the Herald: "It was a good night and I was very pleased with the support we received." Sidvale CC, which took best overall and first in the open class with Brazilia, purposely went to Broadclyst to offer Mr Elkins' team a bit of a boost. Another East Devon entry, Dragonia, by Phoenix CC, took best overall at Ilminster. Broadclyst results Open: 1st, Brazilia - Sidvale CC; 2nd, Caribbean Cascade - Budleigh Salterton CC; 3rd, Locomotion - Ottery St Mary Venture Scouts. Tableau: 1st, Once Upon A Time - Aysheburton Stannery CC, Comic: 1st, Degreased - Hillside Garage; 2nd, Circus - Teignmouth Mutineers. Youth: 1st, Mystical Pegasus - South Brent CC. Visiting royalty: 1st, Empress of the Orient - Dawlishl; 2nd, Queen of the Eskimos - Ottery St Mary; 3rd, Blue Christmas - Sidmouth. Local: F1 Grand Prix - Broadclyst CC. Majorettes - Kirton Blue Bells, Crediton. Trade: 1st, Touch of Class Limousines, Feniton; 2nd, Apple Windows, Exeter. Best Parish Entry: Broadclyst CC. Walking individual: Crystal Chandelier - Jodie B Mitchell, Kingsbridge. Walking pairs: Buttons & Bows - Swain Cc. Walking group: Drake's Circus - Wilson family, Topsham. LOCAL results from Ilminster were... Best overall; Phoenix CC with Dragonia. Feature: 1st, Dragonia - Phoenix CC. Comic: 2nd, Pull The Udder One - Poppe Inn CC, Tatworth; 3rd, Granny Robix - Nunsford Nutter CC, Colyton. Youth: 2nd, Abracadabra - Tango JCC, Sidmouth. Walking wheeled: 1st, Crazy Horses, A&A CC, Kilmington. Majorettes: 3rd, Lyme Regis. AFTER all my deliberating, I ended up in bed nursing a cold. Through all the disgusting coughing and spluttering, and moans of self-pity, I managed to speak to carnivalites at both Broadclyst and Ilminster on the night. Those in Ilminster seemed genuinely pleased to be able to nip over to South Somerset during a break in the East Devon circuit. They'll be back on home turf for Exmouth Carnival this coming weekend. (Please note, it's also Chard Carnival on the same night.) At Broadclyst there were a few disappointed sighs as participants realised the route was the same as usual - taking them all around the houses. Carnival chairman Roy Elkins points out the route is just a mile and a half long and, in his opinion, one of the shortest on the circuit. Can I point out, Broadclyst's trial run for entry to the circuit was last weekend. Previously on this blog, I' ve said the carnival committee was hopeful of a trial in the circuit next year. East Devon officials will deliver their verdict early in 2008. Watch this space. I won't be torn between carnivals this weekend. I'll be at Exmouth to carry on the Herald's circuit coverage. Please email me all your carnival news - from successes to mishaps. Everything!
AS Broadclyst Carnival braved a night under the watchful gaze of circuit officials, carnivalites were torn between the East Devon village and carnival country, Ilminster.
Organisers of the Broadclyst event are hopeful that last Saturday's procession, viewed as a "trial run", will win it a place on the East Devon circuit next year.
Circuit official Derek Marchant was a prominent figure during the night.
A decision will be announced early in 2008.
Carnival chairman Roy Elkins told the Herald: "It was a good night and I was very pleased with the support we received."
Sidvale CC, which took best overall and first in the open class with Brazilia, purposely went to Broadclyst to offer Mr Elkins' team a bit of a boost.
Another East Devon entry, Dragonia, by Phoenix CC, took best overall at Ilminster.
Broadclyst results
Open: 1st, Brazilia - Sidvale CC; 2nd, Caribbean Cascade - Budleigh Salterton CC; 3rd, Locomotion - Ottery St Mary Venture Scouts.
Tableau: 1st, Once Upon A Time - Aysheburton Stannery CC,
Comic: 1st, Degreased - Hillside Garage; 2nd, Circus - Teignmouth Mutineers.
Youth: 1st, Mystical Pegasus - South Brent CC.
Visiting royalty: 1st, Empress of the Orient - Dawlishl; 2nd, Queen of the Eskimos - Ottery St Mary; 3rd, Blue Christmas - Sidmouth.
Local: F1 Grand Prix - Broadclyst CC.
Majorettes - Kirton Blue Bells, Crediton.
Trade: 1st, Touch of Class Limousines, Feniton; 2nd, Apple Windows, Exeter.
Best Parish Entry: Broadclyst CC.
Walking individual: Crystal Chandelier - Jodie B Mitchell, Kingsbridge.
Walking pairs: Buttons & Bows - Swain Cc.
Walking group: Drake's Circus - Wilson family, Topsham.
LOCAL results from Ilminster were...
Best overall; Phoenix CC with Dragonia.
Feature: 1st, Dragonia - Phoenix CC.
Comic: 2nd, Pull The Udder One - Poppe Inn CC, Tatworth; 3rd, Granny Robix - Nunsford Nutter CC, Colyton.
Youth: 2nd, Abracadabra - Tango JCC, Sidmouth.
Walking wheeled: 1st, Crazy Horses, A&A CC, Kilmington.
Majorettes: 3rd, Lyme Regis.
AFTER all my deliberating, I ended up in bed nursing a cold. Through all the disgusting coughing and spluttering, and moans of self-pity, I managed to speak to carnivalites at both Broadclyst and Ilminster on the night.
Those in Ilminster seemed genuinely pleased to be able to nip over to South Somerset during a break in the East Devon circuit. They'll be back on home turf for Exmouth Carnival this coming weekend. (Please note, it's also Chard Carnival on the same night.)
At Broadclyst there were a few disappointed sighs as participants realised the route was the same as usual - taking them all around the houses. Carnival chairman Roy Elkins points out the route is just a mile and a half long and, in his opinion, one of the shortest on the circuit.
Can I point out, Broadclyst's trial run for entry to the circuit was last weekend. Previously on this blog, I' ve said the carnival committee was hopeful of a trial in the circuit next year. East Devon officials will deliver their verdict early in 2008. Watch this space.
I won't be torn between carnivals this weekend. I'll be at Exmouth to carry on the Herald's circuit coverage.
Please email me all your carnival news - from successes to mishaps. Everything!