Belinda Bennett provides a round-up of South West illuminated carnivals
The opening night on the South Somerset circuit attracted some fabulous entries.
Quality, not quantity, was the order of the night.For the third consecutive year, I was in Rockwell Green to witness the procession.
From a marshal’s point of view, it was a quiet night. The crowds seemed slightly thinner this year. However, I feel, there may be a case for barriers outside The Barley Mow pub, where parents allowed their children to sit on the kerb just inches from tractor wheels.
I managed to take some pictures, due to the excellent behaviour of crowds on my 'patch'.
I was delighted to see police checking the credentials of street traders and I noted, probably as a result, they stayed well ahead of the procession and moved to the side of the road when necessary.
It was a police operation well done and I will be speaking to Pc Ian Atyeo at Honiton to see if the same approach can be adopted for Honiton & District Carnival on October 24. Problems encountered last year are well documented on this site and in newsprint.
The author of the South West Carnivals Newsletter was nearby at Rockwell Green, taking copious notes. Don't forget to subscribe, as it is a 'must read' for all committees, clubs and enthusiasts.
On to the entries...I was pleased to see ~East Devon’s Phoenix CC out for the first time this year. I always hope they will be ready in time for Axminster Carnival, but it wasn’t to be in 2009. The all-American 'Parade' is totally different to last year's space theme, but appeared in the line-up at Wellington incomplete. I can't wait to see the full version.
Eclipse CC also made it to Wellington, along with Honiton Twirlstars - wearing new uniforms.
The highlight for me was Gemini CC, of Ilminster. After a break, the club has returned with an entry that took my breath away.To The Trees, Robin Hood the Prince of Thieves, has to be seen to be appreciated. Photos are on the main section of this website. More being posted today.
The Harlequins, also of Ilminster, appeared with Incantation - a rather mystical entry. It was well-lit, which can't be said for all entries, and deserving of the public address announcements that heralded its presence, but I don't think it's as magical as last year's Festival of the Lion King. The Harlequins did well to be ready for Wellington. I know club members worked overtime in the run-up.
Xtreme CC has gone for a fun theme, which I really liked. It is colourful and appealing to people of all ages.Motiv8 shocked me to the core. After years of dancing in the streets, the club has gone on a cart. Not just any cart - a tableau! It is an excellent entry - photos on the main Midweek Herald website and more to follow. (My cousin, a keen dancer, had asked me to video their moves - wait till I tell him they didn't move at all!)
I think the Nunsford Nutters will rise above One Plus One when they compete.
There was a float at Wellington, Zombies, which, as far as I could see, did not display a club name.Who produced it?
Wellington Carnival started on the dot, at 7.30pm, and seemed to run like clockwork.I did hear that one, large entry turned up without a VSO and that three floats broke down just over the finish line.But, to me, Wellington remains an example to others; it's a well-run carnival and Jo Chave deserves praise.Marshals:Honiton (just me, and a poor excuse for a marshal)TauntonNorth PethertonIlminsterChardSomerset and West Dorset MarshalsResults: Click the link to South West Carnivals' website
Mrs Chave, the long-serving chairman of Wellington Carnival, has asked me to marhsal on Saturday.I cannot let her down. She has supported Honiton & District Carnival in the past, and I know how hard it s to muster a full complement of marshals.Plus, I am ager to see Honiton Twirlstars in their new uniforms.They weren't welcome at Sidmouth Carnival (being staged the same night), so I'll catch up with them in Somerset.Full story, next week.Twirlstars' agony will be on the main Midweek Herald website in the morning (Thursday, September 24).
Best entry: Sidvale CC – Rollin’ On The River. Best walking entry: A & A- Alienation.Best Drama of Operatic Entry: Honiton Pantomime Society - 25 Years of Panto.Best Music in Procession: Axminster YFC – What You Waiting For? Best Costumes in Procession: Eclipse – Icequerade. Fancy dress, individual adult: 1st, Alienation – A&A CC ; 2nd, Through the Eye – Jodie-Bea Mitchell; 3rd, Zodiac – Swain.Fancy Dress, individual junior: 1st, Chloe Bolton – S Bolton ; 2nd, Icle Ice – Aidan Pearcy; 3rd, Harvest Time – Rosa Batten-Stevens. Fancy Dress, pairs: 1st, It’s All in the Stars – Jess and Mary Batten-Stevens; 2nd, Old MacDonald – Swain; 3rd, Dragon Aura - Excalibur.Decorated Handcart: 1st, Flower Power – P Armour; 2nd, Lily Bugs – Cousins.Walking group: 1st, Space Bugs – Boogie Bass Bugs; 2nd, Jurassic Workshop – Axminster Arts; 3rd, Crazy Colours – Westbridge.Trade: 1st, Wall E – R&H Signs.Visiting Carnival Queens: 1st, Queen for All Seasons – Ottery St Mary; 2nd, Colyton Royals – Colyton Carnival; 3rd, Woodland Fantasy – Topsham Town Fayre; 3rd, Winter Time – Seaton CC.Open Class 30 foot and under: 1st, Candy Land – Ottery St Mary VSU; 2nd, Rock Around the Clock – Budleigh Salterton; 3rd, 25 Years of Panto – Honiton Pantomime Society.Youth: 1st, Gypsy Glade – South Brent; 2nd, Benny Bangers – P GreensladeLocal Class: 1st, What You Waiting For? – Axminster YFC; 2nd, Bob and Friends – Rainbow Under Fives; 3rd, Devon Classic Motorcycles – W Stuart; 4th, Ford S Max – Castle Garage.Open Class: 1st, Rollin’ On The River – Sidvale; 2nd, Icequerade – Eclipse.Humorous Class: 1st, Nutters Clean Up – Nunsford Nutters; 2nd, Nymphos Animal Hospital – Nunsford Nymphos; 3rd, Graham’s Garden Party – G Bugler Landscaping.Majorettes: 1st, Chard Majorettes; 2nd, Lyme Regis Majorettes; 3rd, Fire and Ice Majorettes, Seaton; 4th, Honiton Twirlstars.
THE next Honiton and District Carnival tabletop sale will take place in the Mackarness Hall on Saturday September 26 from 9am to noon.
To book a table contact carnival chairman Bill Austin on (01404) 42254. The cost of a table is £5.
SCORES of dancers and baton twirlers from Seaton and Axminster have been left disappointed after they were snubbed by Sidmouth Carnival organisers. Several majorette troupes have been told they will not feature in next Saturday’s festivities after complaints their involvement slowed down last year’s procession. Only majorettes from Lyme Regis will feature next weekend, along with groups of cheerleaders. Seaton’s Fire and Ice Majorettes have been among those refused entry. Troupe member mum Trudi Franlkin told the Herald more than 70 girls and their families, who were looking forward to watching the fun, have been left disappointed. She said: “I find this treatment disgusting. After fundraising with the group for more than 12 months for new uniforms, it would have been nice if they could have been on display. “I was born in Sidmouth, and, when young, always entered the carnival. There was never any rules as to the amount of walking entries you could have, why now is someone dictating that people are not welcome?” The Axminster-based Karizma troop, which boasts Sidmouth College students among its ranks, has also been left upset by the decision. Stuart Hughes, outgoing chairman of the Sidmouth Carnival Committee, said the decision was made for “the benefit of the carnival.” He said: “The biggest complaint from people was we had too many majorette troops and the procession was so slow people went home before the floats got there. “Following last year’s carnival and the amount of complaints there were about how slow it was, we decided the amount of majorettes taking part should be just one troop. “Majorettes may feel aggrieved that they are not in the procession, the thing is everybody was saying there are far too many (majorettes), and, when you reflect on it, it spoils the route making stop then start, stop then start. You can’t have lots of troops and that has been taken on board by quite a few of the carnivals. “To have hundreds of majorettes would be unfair on all the other entrants. “Lyme Regis was the first troop I booked when I took over the running of the carnival committee 16 years ago. We want a free-flowing carnival.”
HONITON and District Carnival’s annual quiz night will take place in a new venue this year.
The October 18 fund-raiser will be held at Honiton Rugby Club, due to the continued closure of Honiton Motel.
You can find out more by buying a copy of this year’s programme, which will be on sale soon for £1.
The full colour, glossy publication, brought to you by the Midweek Herald in conjunction with Honiton and District Carnival Limited, includes pictures of this year’s circuit entries as well as highlights of 2008.
Watch this space for further details.
I want to hear from as many people as possible on the subjects of energy saving lightbulbs and the exclusion of maorettes from carnivals. What do YOU think?Email me - belinda.bennett@archant.co.ukDon't click the automatic reply button on Carnival Capers - it goes to a website 'moderator', not me, and she's on holiday until the end of the month! (Hence no pictures of this year's carnivals on this site, so far.) All photo coverage is on the man Midweek Herald website until the end of September.For carnival comments and news, you can call me any time on 07798716146.Thanks.Belinda
As the editor of the Midweek Herald, I have recently received a number of letters from disappointed parents - who claim majorettes are being excluded from many of this year's local carnivals.
The 'invitation only' situation has prompted them to put pen to paper.
This is the most recent letter I have received:
Did I dream it? I thought the Nymphos' 2009 entry was entitled Nymphos On The Job.In the results for Colyton Carnival the title is dramatically different - Animal Hospital.I've cheked the result sheet. It definitely says Animal Hospital.Another carnival *** up on our part?
The 2009, glossy, full colour proramme is currently being printed. It will be on sale shortly with all the cover price proceeds going to the carnival.The exciting news is that the programme includes photographs from this year's circuit entries as well as last year's. I'm aiming to come along the line-up at Sidmouth selling the programmes.I'll notice, if you try to dodge me!This one will be a collector's item.The programme is published by the Midweek Herald in conjunction with the carnival committee.
On our main website today (Sunday, September 13), we incorrectly state Boogie Bass Bugs hope to make it to Bridport Carnival. Of course, this should read Bridgwater.Bridport is a summer carnival and not on the same level as an illuminated circuit event.I am unable to correct this error from home, but my colleague Angela will change Bridport to Bridgwater first thing in the morning.Belinda
Carnival results need to be made available at the earliest opportunity. Days later, or not at all, is not acceptable.Exmouth Carnival made a 1,000 per cent improvement last year. Well done! It beat me interviewing a train driver in between stops!I can't emphasise enough the need for me, or my colleague Angela, to get these results at the latest by 9am on the Sunday following a carnival.If any carnival committee doesn't know how to contact us, call me (anytime) on 07798716146.Angela is covering Colyton and Axminster, although (as a carnivalite) I may not be able to stay away from Colyton.
Ottery St Mary Venture Scouts' Candy Land float is laden with new energy saving lightbulbs.
As their traditional bulbs go out, Nunsford Nutters will be switching to the environmentally-friendly ones, too.
As supplies of traditional bulbs dry up and Britain embraces (?) a voluntary ban, what will be the conbsequence for carnival clubs?
Will the new bulbs save your club money? Will the bulbs last for years? How long do yours take to warm up? Will the public notice the difference?
What if one breaks during a carnival? Will the float have to be evacuated/abandoned? They are said to contain mercury.
Get writing! Let's have a proper Carnival Capers debate!
Best overall: Sidvale CC – Rollin’ On The River.
Most colourful: Ottery St Mary Carnival Royalty – A Queen for All Seasons.
Best local: Joint – Confi-dance Youth Theatre (Bugsy Malone) and Jenny Ashcroft (Aqua Fairy).
Walking individuals: 1st, A&A CC – Alienation; 2nd, Jodie Bea Mitchell – Through The Eye; 3rd, Roger Muspratt-Hamilton - Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.
Walking individual (under 16): 1st, Icle Ice – Aiden Peacy, Ottery St Mary; 2nd, Aqua Fairy – Jenny Ashcroft, Seaton; 3rd, Harvest Time – Rosa Batten-Stevens.
Walking groups and pairs: 1st, Old MacDonald – Evelyn and Jacob Bramall; 2nd, It’s All In The Stars – Jess and Mary Batten-Stevens; 3rd, Dragon’s Aura – Excaliber CC.
Walking groups (three or more): 1st, Space Bugs – Boogie Bass Bugs, Honiton; 2nd, Bugsy Malone – Confi-dance Youth Theatre, Seaton; 3rd, 100 Year of Guiding – Seaton and Beer members of Guiding UK.
Mini floats (non-motorised): Formula Fraud – Cameron Cooke.
Local organisations: 1st, Pirates of Penzance – Axe Valley Mini Club; 2nd, Wall E – Tower Services; 3rd, Royal British Legion.
Youth: 1st, Gypsy Glade – Jean Clave, South Brent; 2nd, Rainbow Under 5s, Axminster.
Open over 30ft: 1st, Sidvale CC – Rollin On The River; 2nd, What You Waiting For – Axminster Young Farmers’ Club.
Royalty: 1st, Honiton & District Carnival – To The Ball; 2nd, Queen For All Seasons – Ottery St Mary; 3rd, Woodland Fantasy – Topsham Town Fayre.
Comical: 1st, Nunsford Nutters CC – Nutters Clean Up; 2nd, Nymphos CC – Nymphos On The Job.
Open Under 30ft: 1st, Budleigh Salterton CC – Rock Around The Clock; 2nd, Candy Lane – Ottery St Mary Venture Scouts.
Pictures from tonight's carnival are on the main Midweek Herald website.
Due to the rush (and typing in the dark), there are a few typos in the accompanying words. Sorry!
Apologies to Jodie Bea Mitchell,who I have inadvertnetly called Jodie Bee Mitchell. I will ensure it is correct in the paper!
Apologies also to Axminster Young Farmers' Club, who must have arrived at the last minute.
I wasn't the only Midweek Herald snapper at the carnival tonight so, cross fingers, we've got a picture of the farmers. Plus, Seaton Carnival Royalty.
Results to follow in the morning.
NIGEL Phillips is on his own as fellow A&A CC members take a “gap year”.
The Kilmington-based club has won a clutch of gongs across the East Devon circuit since its formation.
Mr Phillips is also a member of the mighty Harlequins CC, of Ilminster.
On the East Devon circuit, he is in the single walking classes this year – as a robot on stilts.
His Alienation entry has already taken top prizes at Bridport and Topsham.
In Topsham, the entry won 1st in its class and best overall walking entry.
At Bridport, Alienation was the best walking entry and runner up in the best costume and most innovative categoies.
See Alienation at Seaton Carnival on Saturday (September 5).
PRS for Music, the organisation that pays songwriters, composers and music publishers when their music is used, has announced a new scheme that will benefit carnivals across the South-West region.
A discounted licence for anyone wanting to use music for a charity or community event was established in June 2009 and the not-for-profit organisation is urging carnival organisers to get in touch to see if they could qualify.
The law states that any public performance of music requires a licence so those that created the music can receive royalties on which they depend. PRS for Music has been licensing the use of music for 90 years and represents over 60,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members in the UK. Carnivals, parades and local events that use music are not exempt from a licence but could receive a sizeable discount if approved for the new ‘Charity and Community licence’.
Keith Gilbert, of PRS for Music. commented: “It is about striking the right balance to help events that do so much for the local community, but also rewarding those that have created the music that make those events a success. With our new tariff designed specifically for community and charity events, organisers can receive huge discounts and creators still be paid; I’m delighted that carnivals in the South-West are already taking advantage of it”
To date PRS for Music has been in contact with Weston Super-Mare, Wellington and XXXXXXX carnivals which have received discounts on their music licences and urges all organisers to get in touch to see how they can benefit.
PRS for Music currently licenses over 350,000 businesses, community groups and organisations in the UK.
COLYTON Carnival will take place on Saturday, September 12, at 8pm.
The new carnival royal family will be crowned in Colyton Town Hall on Saturday morning (September 5).
Full programme in this week's Midweek Herald.
THE Mayor of Seaton, Councillor Sandra Semple, has been forced to pull out of the resort's carnival (taking place on Saturday).
An anonymous caller, who disguised his or her voice, told the carnival committee she would be pelted with flour if she appeared in the procession.
Councillor Semple has been blamed by some residents for a number of unpopular town council proposals.