Carnival Capers

Phoenix CC, whose debut had been eagerly awaited, did not make the start line. Also missing were Club 2000 and others.

Some contenders reported last minute glitches, others simply weren't ready in time and one was confronted with a safety issue.

Walking entries made up for any shortfall, many among the most sparkling and imaginative I've ever seen.

A&A CC, of Kilmington, on the road this year with Pinball Wizz, was the only East Devon club to cross the boarder.

Other East Devon circuit contenders stayed true to the programme, attending Newton Poppleford Carnival, near Sidmouth.

Compared to last year, when hard, cold rain left participants and spectators alike soaked to the skin, the weather last night was positively balmy.

Blue skies and sunshine, however, did not boost spectator numbers.

I would say they were slightly down on last year, although there was no lack of enthusiasm for giving when official collecting floats passed by.

The carnival passed off peacefully, with marshals reporting little to no problems. Avon and Somerset Police, as ever, provided a strong, visible presence and worked closely with the carnival committee. I think Devon and Cornwall Police would be shocked to see the level of support their colleagues across the border give to carnival. It is a testament to Somerset's conviction to keep old traditions alive that this much-appreciated support remains strong.

Darkness fell quite quickly at Rockwell Green and, by the end of the carnival, the temperature had started to dip.

Wellington Carnival is the traditional curtain call for the South Somerset circuit and, as ever, it was well organised.

Jo Chave, chairman of the organising committee, and her helpers never fail to ensure a warm welcome greets all.

Yet again, she fears this year's carnival will be the town's last. Kingpin volunteers are standing down from the committee, leaving a gaping hole for Mrs Chave to plug.

Poppe Inn CC have notched up a gear, on the road with a brilliant St Trinian's theme. Look out for the pole dancers!

New Beginnings' tableau was wonderful and Rascals JCC, of Ilminster, just get better each year.

One of the highlights of the night, for me, was seeing veteran carnivalite Shirley Ball, of Domino CC, still going strong. She may not be in the full flush of youth but, by God, can she dance! I hope upon hope that I'm like that when I reach her age. She was, of course, one of my great inspirations to become involved in carnival seven years ago.

Such was her influence that I ran after Domino's float at the end of the route - to film her in full flow. Don't miss the video!

I was also pleased to see the Bond family, of Chard, still going strong in the walking wheeled class. Zem CC, assisted by Mr and Mrs Sweet, of Domino fame, are on the road with Pantomime.

The sight to behold on the night was the mighty Harlequin CC, of Ilminster. Unless one of the no-shows can beat it, the club's 2008 entry will sweep the board when it comes to the circuit presentation night. Ilminster, brace yourself, for the greatest show on Earth when Harlequin steps out on home turf next Saturday!

Carnival Capers will be there.

I hope to bring you more about the walking entries, which are this year spectacular to the extreme. I've never seen anything like it - certainly not in East Devon and South Somerset. The walkers have upped their game.

Wellington Carnival is an integral and important part of the carnival calendar.

Yet again, it was a pleasure and an honour to be there.

If you can help Mrs Jo chave keep Wellington Carnival, one of the most historically important in Somerset, alive, give her a call on (01823) 662339.

I was full of apologies after the spectacular event.

Deep down, I knew I was the weakest link on the night.

Thankfully, it was a trouble-free carnival and, hopefully, I'll be forgiven for being a total wimp.

It's not easy being the only marshal to represent a town. I was there, as ever, to represent Honiton.

Although I had a security guard as back up (he assisted me last year, as well), I just didn't have it in me to dish out orders.

Also, I'm just ever so too polite. "Would you mind moving back, please?" I managed just once during the night.

Without my helper from Burnham-on-Sea, I lost my confidence.

Instead of controlling the crowds, I was controlling my embarrassment - as the man from the South West Carnivals Newsletter took notes.

I was secretly praying he wasn't noting my complete lack of authority.

At one point, he even did my job for me - telling some youths to move off the road.

How embarrassing!

Instead of upholding safety issues, I found myself chatting away to people in the crowds - among them supporters of Rascals JCC, who live in Chard. One of their grandchildren is on this year's float.

Also, I was very, very naughty, and I hope my naughtiness doesn't result in a ticking off at a later date.

Seeing as the carnival was so well organised and peaceful, I managed to film the procession. Disgraceful, I know. Let's hope the man from the South West Carnivals Newsletter didn't make a note of that!

Being an overly honest person, I admitted my wrong doing to carnival chairman Jo Chave at the earliest opportunity. Honesty is the best policy!

The good thing is, I'm promoting Wellington Carnival. It can't die and, hopefully, the images we show on this website will prove why. It's an important event.

Thank you to Yeovil District Marshals. Yet again, they have supported Honiton and covered from Hillyhead, the traditional black spot for egg throwing at Wellington Carnival Queen, to Rockwell Green - Honiton's marshalling territory at Wellington.

I promise to be a better marshal next year!

Individual Fancy Dress: 1, Twelve Gifts of Christmas - L Tutty, Dawlish; 2, Butterfly Princess - Swain CC; 3, Aztec Adventurer - M Jackson.

Fancy Dress (pairs): 1, Willow Pattern - E Witton and B Tutty; Thomas and Friends - Swain; 3, Little Chief, Big Totem - Jess and Rosa Batten-Stevens.

Decorated hand cart: 1, Pinball Wizz - A and A CC; 2, Pantomime- Zem CC, Chard/Space - Tic Toc CC; 3, Jungle Safari - C Cooke.

Walking (group): 1, Boogie Bass Bugs; 2, One, Two, Three, Many Clowns, Not Enough Circuses - Laughter Unlimited; 3, Hello Dolly - Axminster Operatic Society.

Trade: 1, Groves Busy Bees - Groves Nurseries; 2, Metrodogs - R Payne; 3, Axe Skip Hire.

Visiting Carnival Queens: 1, Pretty as a Picture - Topsham Town Fayre; 2, Flower Fairies - Ottery St Mary Carnival; 3, The Good Ship Lollipop - Harbertonford Carnival; 4, Colyton Royal Party - Colyton Carnival.

Open class, under 30ft: 1, Ride of the Valkyres - Ayshburton Stannery CC; 2, Thriller - Hillside Garage; 3, Ventures Go Wild - Ottery St Mary, Venture Scouts; 4, Showbiz Sparkle - Budleigh Salterton Carnival Club.

Tableau Class: 1, Camberwick Green - New Beginnings Carnival Club.

Youth Class: 1, Horror Express - Tango JCC; 2, Wild Boyz On Tour - Seaton Explorer Scouts; 3, Boogie Belles - South Brent CC; 4, Party Barbie -Rainbow Under Fives Playgroup.

Local Class: 1, Halloween - Axminster Young Farmers' Club; 2, The Briny - Axminster Playgroup; 3, Classic Motorcycles -W Stuart.

Open Class: 1, Mickey's Express - Sidvale CC; 2, Medieval Legend - Eclipse CC.

Comic Class: 1, Nymphos Probe Uranus - Nymphos CC; 2, Hey Big Suspender - Nunsford Nutters; 3, St Trinians - The Poppe Inn Club.

Majorettes: 1, Lyme Regis Majorettes; 2, Honiton Majorettes; 3, Seaton Majorettes; 4, Chard Majorettes.

Eagle-eyed spectators have commented on the lack of an entry from Axminster St John Badgers.

The club fell victim to wet weather over the summer and had to discontinue work on its float.

Carole Enticott, of the club, is appealing for a farmer to offer use of a barn in time for next year.

"We haven't gone out this year, because we've been in the open through the summer and the weather was atrocious."

If a carnival-friendly farmer has barn space to spare, he or she is asked to call Carole on 07531306344.

BEST overall: Sidvale CC - Mickey's Express.

Feature: 1st, Sidvale CC - Mickey's Express; 2nd, Axminster Young Farmers' Club - Halloween; 3rd, The Wild West.

Youth floats: 1st, South Brent CC - Boogie Bells; 2nd, Seaton Explorer Scouts CC - Wild Boyz On Tour; 3rd, Tango JCC - Horror Express.

Comic floats: 1st, Nymphos CC - Nymphos Probe Uranus; 2nd, Nunsford Nutters CC - Hey Big Suspender.

Local: Tango JCC - Horror Express.

Open float 30ft or under: Ayshburton Stannery - Ride of the Valkaries; 2nd, Showbiz Sparkle; 3rd, Hillside Garage - Thriller; 4th Ottery St Mary Venture Scouts - Ventures Go Wild; 5th, 1st Honiton Scouts and K9CC - Dr Who.

Royalty under 20ft: 1st- Pretty as a picture; 2nd, Good Ship Lollipop' 3rd, Honiton - Venetian Dream; 4th - From Russia with Love; 5th - Seaton - Samba.

Royalty over 20ft: 1st, Colyton; 2nd, Flower Fairies; 3rd, Queen of Ice; 4th, Navahoe.

Individual walker: 1st, Firework Fantasy; 2nd, Masquerade Ball; 3rd, 12 Gifts of Christmas; 4th, Mixed Up Carnival Star.

Youth individual walker: 1st, Willow Pattern; 2nd, One Man Band.

Walking pairs: 1st, Little Chief Big Totem; 2nd, Fairy Good Friends.

Walking groups: 1st, Boogie Bass Bugs; 2nd, sid Valley Energy Group; 3rd, Bin the Plastic.

Walking groups (youth): 1st, Wild West Heroes; 2nd, Clowns, 3rd, St Trinian's; 4th, Sidmouth 2019 ATC.

Wheeled: 1st, Cameron Cooke - Jungle Safari; 2nd, A&A CC - Pinball Wizz; 3rd, Cousins CC - Stop the Pigeon; 4th, Tic Toc CC - Space.

Majorettes: 1st, Chard Goldstars; 2nd, Karizma; 3rd, Lyme Regis; 4th, Honiton Twirlstars; 5th, Seaton Fire and Ice.

The carnival has been pushed forward for an earlier date this year, having previously been held after processions in the Axe Valley.

Carnival Capers will be there.

We will be providing full reporting cover, print and web, for the Sidmouth Herald.

Nymphos CC, Seaton Carnival Queen and Tango JCC are required to be on stand-by for video interviews and float footage.

You've been warned!

Pictures feature on this website.

Their entry, Stop The Pigeon, was highly commended.

They are off to a good footing in carnival - thanks to a family connection to the mighty Harlequin CC, of Ilminster.

Regardless of any perceived rift, she was out among the crowds last Saturday - acting as an official carnival collector.

Well done, Barbara!

After entertaining crowds with an ocean theme last year, he's back to wow judges with Jungle Safari.

He was a prize winner at Seaton and comes from South Brent.

The Viking theme was a crowd pleaser.

For a picture of Ayshburton's Lil smith and Darren White, see our photo gallery of the event.

More than 40 entries lined the route, including some of the East Devon circuit's greatest contenders and a not insignificant sprinkling of new hopefuls, nearly all from Honiton.

Carnival chairman Peter Burrows has reported record crowds and is hopeful of a record collection total.

Sidvale CC stole the show with its breath-taking rendition of a Disney theme, Mickey Express.

As ever, Colyton entries dominated the comic class - the Nymphos taking the carnival spirit to almost the limit with an outstanding theme, Nymphos Probe Uranus, and Nunsford Nutters pulling out all the stops for its gutsy Hey Big Suspender.

Seaton has a new float hope on the circuit in the guise of Seaton Explorers CC.

Formed as part of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme last year, club members had so much fun they have decided to continue.

This year's entry, Wild Boyz, is an 85ft-long extravaganza and is likely to put Seaton on the map at carnivals throughout East Devon and beyond.

It was so popular with teenagers that an entourage of supporters, many girls, attempted to follow the float along the route.

Although Seaton-based groups were thin on the ground, the resort benefited from a sudden upsurge in enthusiasm for the illuminated genre of carnival.

Two new entries have emerged from Honiton - a float, Dr Who, from 1st Honiton Scouts, and a dance troupe, Boogie Bass Bugs.

Results posted on this website.

Bonnie, of Dawlish, says she's now old enough to carry a bus pass.

She is on the East Devon circuit in the walking pairs class as Willow Pattern with Emma Witton.

THIS very ambitious entry is bold step up from the club's 2007 eye-popper, Showtime.

It is a complete change, with some fantastic workmanship in the build.

Gone are fishnet tights and skimpy outfits. Witches are the order of the day for this year.

The Only Way Is Up, epitomised by '90s icon Yaz, accompanies this year's entry from Nymphos CC, of Colyton.

Meanwhile, Sidvale CC is enhancing its spectacular Mickey's Express with Mickey's March and Hillside Garage, of Honiton, is using Michael Jackson's classic Thriller as its backdrop.

HISTORY was made at Seaton last Saturday when 1st Honiton Scouts, together with K9 CC, entered a float on the East Devon circuit.

Dr Who was given a trial run at Topsham the weekend before - and came away with a second prize.

Steven Loader spent four months making the float's realistic-looking dalek - in his garage!

"There's lots and lots of recycled stuff on the float, so that's good," he said.

"I'd like to think there is renewed interest in carnival in Honiton. It raises lots of money for charity."

There are four people performing on the float. A large walking entry will accompany Dr Who at Honiton Carnival on October 25.

The entry hopes to venture as far as Bridgwater. Watch this space for progress reports.

For a picture and report, see this week's Midweek Herald.

IT'S only their second season on the circuit and already Seaton Explorers are managing to compete with the best and on a good footing.

They are carrying the flag for Seaton throughout East Devon and, possibly, beyond as the resort's only float hope.

This year's theme is far more ambitious than last year's Wurzels, but the Explorers have pulled it off with a touch of panache.

The 85ft long float boats 12 performers and was apparently eagerly followed around the route last Saturday by a posse of admirers - proof that carnival really is the glam place to be.

For pictures and more information, see this week's Midweek Herald.

NYMPHOS are on a mission in 2008 - to probe where no probe has been before!

Nymphos Probe Uranus is this year's offering from a club considered royalty in the comic class.

Chairman Richard Satterley says the theme was a group effort and that its aim is to visit "the final frontier".

Ten people built the float and 14 appear on it.

"It was a lot of work," said Mr Sattlerley. "We have completely changed the whole thing from last year, but we've tried to make it a bit simpler."

For more on Nymphos from Ali Collings, see this week's Midweek Herald.

The Nutters made it to Seaton with their 2008 entry almost finished. Hey Big Suspender's tractor won't be seen until Sidmouth (on Saturday) or when the club performs on home turf, in Colyton, the weekend after.

Club chairman Kevin Woodley came up with this year's theme.

Builders included Michael Baker, Andy Jarman, Lee Brooker, Philip Brooker, Angela Brooker and Gail Jarman.

Painters were Angela Brooker (also odd job person), Irene Hill, Hannah Shepherd and Helen Brooker.

Costume makers were Gail Jarman and Helen Brookers.

On the float: Fee Loveridge, Tom Windsor, Gail Jarman, Helen Brooker, Angela Brooker, Philip Brooker, Irene Hill, Aaron Clayton, Sandra Potter, Kath Broom, Lucy Knapman, Lewis Jarman and Charlie Parsons.

Tractor driver: Lee Brooker.

Captain of road crew: Andy Jarman.

Captain on the float: Helen Brooker.

Elsewhere on this website is a revealing interview with the comic kings of drag.

THE wonderful world of Disney is brought to spectacular life in this blockbuster of an entry from the mighty Sidvale.

After last year's Rio-themed Brazilia, club members have pulled out all the stops to do something completely different.

Jamie Baker, of Honiton, came up with the theme.

Fifteen performers gyrate to Mickey's March on platforms of a light-encrusted stage.

The highlight of Seaton Carnival, it was the last entry in the line-up, but very nearly didn't cross the start line.

The entry's generator broke down on the A3052, between Sidford and Seaton, but made it in time.

Facts about the making of Mickey's Express appear in this week's Midweek Herald.

A video interview with club secretary Marion Perry is on this website, together with film footage of Mickey's Express on the road.

Most colourful: Tic Toc CC - Space.

Best Seaton entry: Seaton Explorers CC - Wild Boyz.

Walking Fancy Dress (Individual): 1, 12 Gifts of Christmas - Lyn Tutty; 2, Firework Fantasy - Stella Swain; 3, Masquerade Ball - Roger Muspratt-Hamilton.

Walking Group (Pairs): 1, Little Chief, Big Totem - Jess and Rosa Batten-Stevens; 2, Willow Pattern - B Tutty; 3, Thomas and Friends - Swain Family.

Walking Groups (3 or more people): 1, Laughter Unlimited - Lauren Pearcy, Aiden Pearcy and Abbie Thomas; 2, The Flintstones - 2nd Seaton Brownies; 3, Boogie Bass Bugs.

Mini Floats (non-motorised): 1, Space - Tic Toc CC; 2, Jungle Safari - Cameron Cooke, South Brent; 3. Pinball Wizz - A & A CC; HC, Stop the Pigeon - Cousins CC.

Local Organisations, Axmouth, Seaton, Beer only: 1, Wild Boyz - Seaton Explorers CC; 2, Six Minis - Axe Valley Mini Club; 3, Poppy Bus - Seaton branch, Royal British Legion.

Youth Organisations: 1, Horror Express - Tango Juvenile CC; 2, Boogie Bells - South Brent CC; 3, Party Barbie - Rainbow Under 5s Playgroup, Axminster; 4, Dr Who - K9 CC and Honiton 1st Scout Group.

Open, over 30ft: 1, Mickey's Express - Sid Vale CC; 2, Halloween - Axminster Young Farmers' Club.

Royalty: 1, Pretty as a Picture - Topsham Town Fayre; 2, Flower Fairies - Ottery St Mary CC; 3, From Russia with Love - Bovey Tracey CC; HC. Queen of Ice - Dawlish CC.

Comical: 1, Nymphos Probe Uranus - Nymphos CC; 2, Hey Big Suspender - Nunsford Nutters CC.

Open Under 30ft: 1, Ride of the Valkiries - Aysheberton Stannery CC; 2, Ventures Go Wild - Ottery St Mary Venture Scouts; 3, Showbiz Sparkle - Budleigh Salterton CC; HC, Sunshine Sensation - Brimspear CC.