Belinda Bennett provides a round-up of South West illuminated carnivals
<h5>NEW Sidmouth Carnival organiser Rob Waller says he is looking forward to this year's event but fears extra costs may compromise the tradition.<br><br>Mr Waller, who has also been organising Exmouth Carnival for 20 years, is worried that new licensing charges from the Performing Rights Society will result in some carnival clubs going into the red.<br><br>He told the Herald: "Preparations are going well but like all carnivals, Sidmouth is suffering as there are a lot of new charges we haven't had to deal with in the past."<br><br>All carnival clubs will have to pay for the PRS licence but as of yet Mr Waller does not know exactly how much each club will be charged.<br><br>He added: "It will be a lot and it obviously affects our costs. All carnivals face this difficulty and I hope we come out of it." <br><br>Although the carnival has lost a couple of floats, Mr Waller says other clubs have stepped into replace them and this year more than 30 floats will take part in the Sidmouth procession, which takes place on Saturday, September 26.<br><br>Mr Waller said he has big shoes to fill after Stuart Hughes announced in July he was stepping down from the organiser's post after 18 years.<br><br>But he has assured stalwart Sidmouth Carnival-goers that the traditional event will be very much in line with previous years.<br><br>Mr Waller said: I'm talking to Stuart all the time and I see him three or four times a week. I'm not going to change Sidmouth- I'm continuing what Sidmouth is good at.<br><br>"I've been doing Exmouth Carnival for such a long time I'm sure it will work out, although it's still a challenge."<br><br>Mr Waller also praised members of the various carnival clubs who contribute so much to the event. <br><br>He added: "Without the support of these people you don't have a carnival. They put so much time and energy into it and they never make enough money to cover their costs-they do it because they enjoy it."<br><br>All entry forms for this year's carnival can be obtained from Mr Waller on (01395) 276463 and he assured people if they leave a message he will get back to them.
Monday 14th
BINGO – 8 pm
AXMINSTER GUILDHALL
Saturday 12th to Monday 21st
Thursday 17th
Coffee Morning 8.30 am
Axminster Church Rooms
Friday 18th
Axminster Guildhall 8 pm
The Dartmoor Pixie Band
Ticket £8.50 includes supper
Axminster TIC & Hospiscare
Tickets from TIC
Saturday 19th
Grand Procession 8.00pm.
8pm Starts at Roundabout by Tesco
12th – 19th
HERBERTS FUN FARE
Coombe Lane Car Park
AXMINSTER CARNIVAL 19TH SEPTEMBER
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This year we are making a few changes in the running of our Carnival Procession. Due to the high cost of fuel, we have decided to judge the Procession ‘En Route’. This will save the larger floats the cost of running their generators for 2 hours whilst waiting for judging to be completed. This will mean that we will not have the results until after the procession has ended, therefore no prize cards will be displayed and no trophies and prize money will be presented in the Square. All trophies, prize money and prize cards will be presented at the Guildhall after the procession at approximately 10 pm. Those not represented at the Guildhall will get their prize money and prize cards in the post – any trophies not collected on the night will be retained.
We have also decided not to continue with last year’s trial of lining up the walking entries and Majorette Groups in Church Street and Silver Street. They will do the same circuit as the rest of the Carnival. Not presenting trophies and prize money in the Square has given us the opportunity to reverse the procession. Procession will line up in the usual place – Kilmington Road – it will then precede up West Street instead of turning right into King Edward Road. In will then go through Trinity Square. Turn right into South Street continuing up Musbury Road then turn right down King Edward Road back to the start. This is where the Carnival Procession will finish and all entrants will have to complete this circuit to be judged. There will be only one circuit of the town.
Entry Forms for Carnival Procession can be obtained from Geoff Enticott, 6A Boxfield Road, Axminster EX13 5LB (Telephone 01297 32147). Please note that we hold the Collectors Licence for this event and only collecting tins issued by us may be used. Collectors will receive 25% of all money they collect for their chosen charity. Collection tins will be distributed from Axminster Guildhall from 6 pm on the night. If you haven’t taken part in the Carnival before why not dress up and come along as a collector we are sure you will enjoy yourself and help to make Axminster Carnival – The Best in the West.
We will be having our Carnival Bingo on Monday 14th and Misplaced Article Competition during the week. We will also hold a Coffee Morning at the Church Rooms Thursday 17th from 8.30 am. Cakes and Bric-a-Brac will be on sale. There will be a Barn Dance with The Dartmoor Pixie Band on Friday 18th September. Axminster Tourist Information Centre and Hospiscare are organising this, proceeds will be split between them. Barn Dances are great fun and can be enjoyed by Young and Old. If you can’t dance then just listening to the music will lift your spirits. Tickets will be £8. 50 and include supper - tickets on sale at Axminster Tourist Information Centre. Great Britain Cycle Race will be going through the town on the same day 18th. It certainly will be a busy weekend for Axminster. Of course Carnival time wouldn’t be the same without Herberts Fun Fare – this will be in the Coombe Lane Car Park all week.
At a time when there is so much doom and gloom in the world, we want our Carnival to spread a little happiness and cheer. Come on Axminster! Forget your problems for a while and be happy – let’s show them that we are not a dreary run down little town we have a lot going for us.
COLYTON is the comic capital of East Devon’s illuminated carnival circuit, being home to the two top contenders – the Nunsford Nutters and Nymphos.There were thrills and spills last year when the Nymphos Probe Uranus entry caused more than a few raised eyebrows and even prompted letters to the editor. Will this year’s entry prove controversial? Find out at Seaton Carnival!Nutters showed off some leg and a bit of plastic cleavage with their 2008 offering, Hey Big Suspender.Together, the two clubs are a mighty force in comic classes across the South West – not just on the East Devon circuit.Their names are synonymous with laughter and, no doubt, club members are eager to give you a giggle at Seaton.
AFTER months of hard graft, carnivalites can finally show off their new themes at Seaton, the seaside town that traditionally hosts the debut carnival on the East Devon illuminated circuit.
It is an important occasion, attracting the attentions of those involved in illuminated carnival circuits elsewhere in the West Country.
All eyes will be on the mighty condenders who, year after year, pull out all the stops to put a real touch of glamour onto our streets.
Until Seaton Carnival, club themes are a tightly kept secret – meaning the night holds an air of mystery as well as expectation.
Sidvale CC wowed crowds last year with Mickey’s Express, a theme conjured up by Jamie Baker, of Honiton.
Spectators, as well as other carnival clubs, will be keen to see Sidvale’s 2009 entry unveiled at Seaton. Can the club pull off another coup?
The mighty Phoenix CC, of Broadclyst, which went on the road last year with a space theme, does not usually appear on the East Devon circuit until after Colyton Carnival.
Relative newcomers Eclipse CC made a good impression last year with Medieval Legend.
Although it was venturing out for only a second consecutive season, many of its members are notable carnivalites with many years of experience.
Young Farmers’ Clubs, carnival royalty, majorettes and walking entries all make for a spectacular show.
A highlight of this year’s walking classes is expected to be an entry from Boogie Bass Bugs, of Honiton, stepping out for the second consecutive year.
Some clubs, however, won’t be in the line-up, including floats from Hillside Garage and Seaton Explorer Scouts.
Hillside members are assisting other clubs this year.
SEATON Carnival Committee will host the annual crowning of the carnival queen on Sunday (August 30).The carnival’s royal family represents Seaton at events across East Devon and, occasionally, beyond.The crowning will take place at 6.15pm on the seafront by the clock tower.
SEATON Carnival Week will start on Saturday, August 29, with a week full of activities.
Kick-starting the celebrations will be Phil Armor and Summer Sounds road show, on the Esplanade, from 10am.
An arts and crafts fun day for the whole family will be staged on Tuesday, September 1, from 10am to 3pm, in the Town Hall and Windsor Gardens.
A car treasure hunt will start at 6.30pm.
Other activities include a colouring competition, I-spy, a lucky draw with a prize of £100 and a cup for the best-dressed collector.
Some streets will be closed on procession night, Saturday, September 5. They are: Fisherman’s Gap to Beach Road, from 8am to 10pm; The Esplanade, Beach Road, Trevelyan Road, Riverside Way, 12noon to 10pm; Harbour Road, The Underfleet, Fore Street, Marine Place, from 7.30pm to 10pm.
SEATON Carnival Committee will be hosting the town’s Classic Car Show on Sunday, August 30.
Among those involved will be the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club.
The event will take place on the Esplanade, between 10am and 5pm.
THE charity Brainwave and Colyton WI have joined forces to bring the town a carnival event. The two organisations will be running a fashion show at the Feoffees Hall, at 7pm, on Wednesday, September 9.
TWO members of Axminster based Karizma majorettes have made history – by becoming the first ever joint carnival queens in Newton Poppleford.
Tiffany Clay and Becca Cardwell, both 12, who have been friends since they were just three, both want to be this year’s village carnival queen, but didn’t want to compete against each other for the crown.
Members of Newton Poppleford Carnival Committee therefore decided that they should both be queens, making carnival history.
Tiffany said: “I personally think it will be more exciting as I’m going to share a great experience with a good friend.”
Becca said: “I have always wanted to be a queen since I was little and I watched the queen on the float, but I was too young. I’m really happy to be queen this year with Tiffany.”
The girls are following in their fathers’ footsteps. The men are members of the village cricket club and stepped in as an attendant and queen two years ago when no girls came forward.
THE charity Brainwave and Colyton WI have joined forces to bring the town a carnival event. The two organisations will be running a fashion show at the Feoffees Hall, at 7pm, on Wednesday, September 9. entry £3.50.
TWO members of Axminster based Karizma majorettes have made history – by becoming the first ever joint carnival queens in Newton Poppleford.Tiffany Clay and Becca Cardwell, both 12, who have been friends since they were just three, both want to be this year’s village carnival queen, but didn’t want to compete against each other for the crown.Members of Newton Poppleford Carnival Committee therefore decided that they should both be queens, making carnival history.Tiffany said: “I personally think it will be more exciting as I’m going to share a great experience with a good friend.”Becca said: “I have always wanted to be a queen since i was little and I watched the queen on the float, but i was too young. I’m really happy to be queen this year with Tiffany.”The girls are following in their fathers’ footsteps. The men are members of the village cricket club and stepped in as an attendant and queen two years ago when no girls came forward.
As Seaton Carnival beckons, I am issuing my annual clarion call.... Can circuit entrants get in touch?
I need information about your entries BEFORE Seaton Carnival. I promise you, your carnival themes will be kept a secret until after the event.
I need to prepare my post-carnival coverage partially in advance. I need some of the information pre-typed, because I won't have enough time after the carnival - the Midweek Herald will be on deadline. Seaton Carnival is the start of the East Devon circuit and I want my coverage to reflect the importance of the occasion.
What I need are entry names and the who's who of the entries - everything from who came up with the theme to who made the costumes and who appears on the float. I even want names of tractor drivers, road crew and float builders. Everything!
This year, I'd be grateful if each entry could give me a contact name and telephone number - so I can call during the season. You never know what situations may arise!
You can email me via this website or call me on either 01392 888488/01404 46472/01297 444514.
Thank you all for your co-operation.
Let the season begin!
Belinda Bennett
Editor
Midweek Herald/Carnival Capers