Belinda Bennett provides a round-up of South West illuminated carnivals
THERE was a truly rubbish marshal at Wellington Carnival - me! 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!
THERE was a truly rubbish marshal at Wellington Carnival - me!
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!