Belinda Bennett provides a round-up of South West illuminated carnivals
THE Herald looks back at the 2007 carnival season and explores what our Carnival Capers blog has achieved, so far. AS bureaucrats use red tape to squeeze the life out of Devon's oldest traditions, there are niche pockets of society ready to fight back. Those involved in carnivals are a shining example. They do comply with the law - they've got to - but, equally, they have adopted a 'carry on regardless' approach. It is thanks to the support of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, the tireless, often overlooked, input of Special Constables and literally hundreds of volunteers that carnivals are still a highlight of East Devon's yearly calendar of events. It's not easy to keep entries on the road. Gaining insurance, for example, is getting harder and harder - even smaller participants, such as Honiton Round Table, have struggled. As political correctness and bureaucracy square up to tradition, Archant South West, owner of this newspaper, has been doing all it can to keep the spirit of carnival alive. After being appointed an editor by the company in November 2006, I have made it my mission, as a carnivalite, to promote not just the history of carnivals but the here and now of events, too - everything from fundraising to themes and from marshalling to the bright lights. I started the carnival season outside of my patch, in Wellington, the traditional curtain call for the South Somerset Federation circuit. Acting as a marshal, I enjoyed a blockbuster of a night in Rockwell Green. The event prepared me for the busy season that was to follow, and offered plenty of inspiration. All my old carnival friends from Somerset were there - along with Phoenix CC and Tango JCC from East Devon. Marshalling is probably my forte, but, secretly, I wanted to be up there, on a float, and giving it my all to entertain spectators. It was always on the cards that, one day, I'd swap my fluorescent jacket and walkie-talkie for a place in the spotlight. Impetus for the dramatic switch came from a number of sources, especially the grassroots entries that rarely make the carnival headlines. Exmouth in Bloom Committee was one such contender. Not content with a gold award in the floral stakes, members surpassed themselves with a truly stunning entry on home turf. Axminster St John Badgers, A&A CC, of Kilmington, Nymphos CC, of Colyton, Brixington Ladies, Honiton Twirlstars, Karizma Majorettes and my own family's club, Hillside Garage, gave me the final nudge. After six years in the shadows, providing either road crew or marshalling, I finally rose to the challenge at Honiton Christmas Carnival. I appeared, alongside family members and friends, as Sandra Dee on Hillside Garage's Degreased float - thanks to Yeovil Marshals (no connection to the defunct Yeovil Carnival). They stood in for me along the route, so I could realise my dream. There were no points to be won; I couldn't let the side down. It was a freezing cold night, but the excitement of the occasion melted away any reservations. Read all about it on our Carnival Capers blog at www.midweekherald.co.uk Fern, my daughter and a seasoned float performer, ducked out of the limelight after Seaton Carnival, the start of the East Devon circuit, but is showing great promise as a future marshal or member of road crew. She proved she's got what it takes in Honiton on December 15. Jamie, my son, has passed his tractor test and is, without doubt, a bigger carnivalite than I'll ever be. He's dedicated to the extreme, visiting every carnival going. My favourite entry of 2007 was Mental Oriental by Nymphos CC, of Colyton. It flew in the face of bureaucrats on the theme front and was humorous to the extreme. It was a truly stunning entry. And the Nymphos surpassed themselves at Honiton Christmas Carnival, making dramatic changes to their float for just one night. Superb. What am I going to do next season? I very much doubt I'll appear on a float. I'm pencilled in to marshal at Wellington again and aim to support carnivals everywhere in whatever way I can. The Weston Mercury, in Weston-super-Mare, has been plugging Carnival Capers, so I'd better venture further into Somerset - as well as extending carnival coverage in East Devon. I strongly suspect my support will involve me wearing a fluorescent jacket or, at the very least, taking notes! Burnham-on-Sea, et al, here I come! Carnival Capers Launched: September 2007 Aim: To promote the spirit of carnival First carnival covered: Wellington, Somerset Most recent carnival covered: Honiton Christmas Carnival Special features: Video footage and pictures Biggest hit: In My Carnival Dreams by Belinda Bennett Recommended hits: Carnival - My Inspiration and My Carnival Reality Featuring: All the contenders from East Devon, some from South Devon and a few from Somerset Most successful East Devon clubs this year: Sidvale CC, Phoenix CC, A&A CC and Nymphos CC. Archant sponsored clubs: Axminster St John Badgers and Budleigh Salterton CC Carnival Capers' appreciated participation: Eclipse CC Best carnivals in East Devon in 2007: Honiton and Exmouth Best carnival companion: Kevin Cross Carnival Capers' best newcomer: Seaton Explorer Scouts Best Walking (with props): A&A CC, of Kilmington, near Axminster The spirit of carnival can only be promoted to the full with the support of all carnival committees. Carnival is an all-year activity, involving hours and hours of fundraising and preparation. Email your news and views to belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk
THE Herald looks back at the 2007 carnival season and explores what our Carnival Capers blog has achieved, so far.
AS bureaucrats use red tape to squeeze the life out of Devon's oldest traditions, there are niche pockets of society ready to fight back.
Those involved in carnivals are a shining example.
They do comply with the law - they've got to - but, equally, they have adopted a 'carry on regardless' approach.
It is thanks to the support of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, the tireless, often overlooked, input of Special Constables and literally hundreds of volunteers that carnivals are still a highlight of East Devon's yearly calendar of events.
It's not easy to keep entries on the road. Gaining insurance, for example, is getting harder and harder - even smaller participants, such as Honiton Round Table, have struggled.
As political correctness and bureaucracy square up to tradition, Archant South West, owner of this newspaper, has been doing all it can to keep the spirit of carnival alive.
After being appointed an editor by the company in November 2006, I have made it my mission, as a carnivalite, to promote not just the history of carnivals but the here and now of events, too - everything from fundraising to themes and from marshalling to the bright lights.
I started the carnival season outside of my patch, in Wellington, the traditional curtain call for the South Somerset Federation circuit. Acting as a marshal, I enjoyed a blockbuster of a night in Rockwell Green.
The event prepared me for the busy season that was to follow, and offered plenty of inspiration. All my old carnival friends from Somerset were there - along with Phoenix CC and Tango JCC from East Devon.
Marshalling is probably my forte, but, secretly, I wanted to be up there, on a float, and giving it my all to entertain spectators. It was always on the cards that, one day, I'd swap my fluorescent jacket and walkie-talkie for a place in the spotlight.
Impetus for the dramatic switch came from a number of sources, especially the grassroots entries that rarely make the carnival headlines.
Exmouth in Bloom Committee was one such contender. Not content with a gold award in the floral stakes, members surpassed themselves with a truly stunning entry on home turf.
Axminster St John Badgers, A&A CC, of Kilmington, Nymphos CC, of Colyton, Brixington Ladies, Honiton Twirlstars, Karizma Majorettes and my own family's club, Hillside Garage, gave me the final nudge.
After six years in the shadows, providing either road crew or marshalling, I finally rose to the challenge at Honiton Christmas Carnival.
I appeared, alongside family members and friends, as Sandra Dee on Hillside Garage's Degreased float - thanks to Yeovil Marshals (no connection to the defunct Yeovil Carnival). They stood in for me along the route, so I could realise my dream.
There were no points to be won; I couldn't let the side down.
It was a freezing cold night, but the excitement of the occasion melted away any reservations. Read all about it on our Carnival Capers blog at www.midweekherald.co.uk
Fern, my daughter and a seasoned float performer, ducked out of the limelight after Seaton Carnival, the start of the East Devon circuit, but is showing great promise as a future marshal or member of road crew. She proved she's got what it takes in Honiton on December 15. Jamie, my son, has passed his tractor test and is, without doubt, a bigger carnivalite than I'll ever be. He's dedicated to the extreme, visiting every carnival going.
My favourite entry of 2007 was Mental Oriental by Nymphos CC, of Colyton. It flew in the face of bureaucrats on the theme front and was humorous to the extreme. It was a truly stunning entry. And the Nymphos surpassed themselves at Honiton Christmas Carnival, making dramatic changes to their float for just one night. Superb.
What am I going to do next season? I very much doubt I'll appear on a float.
I'm pencilled in to marshal at Wellington again and aim to support carnivals everywhere in whatever way I can. The Weston Mercury, in Weston-super-Mare, has been plugging Carnival Capers, so I'd better venture further into Somerset - as well as extending carnival coverage in East Devon.
I strongly suspect my support will involve me wearing a fluorescent jacket or, at the very least, taking notes!
Burnham-on-Sea, et al, here I come!
Carnival Capers
Launched: September 2007
Aim: To promote the spirit of carnival
First carnival covered: Wellington, Somerset
Most recent carnival covered: Honiton Christmas Carnival
Special features: Video footage and pictures
Biggest hit: In My Carnival Dreams by Belinda Bennett
Recommended hits: Carnival - My Inspiration and My Carnival Reality
Featuring: All the contenders from East Devon, some from South Devon and a few from Somerset
Most successful East Devon clubs this year: Sidvale CC, Phoenix CC, A&A CC and Nymphos CC.
Archant sponsored clubs: Axminster St John Badgers and Budleigh Salterton CC
Carnival Capers' appreciated participation: Eclipse CC
Best carnivals in East Devon in 2007: Honiton and Exmouth
Best carnival companion: Kevin Cross
Carnival Capers' best newcomer: Seaton Explorer Scouts
Best Walking (with props): A&A CC, of Kilmington, near Axminster
The spirit of carnival can only be promoted to the full with the support of all carnival committees. Carnival is an all-year activity, involving hours and hours of fundraising and preparation.
Email your news and views to belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk