Belinda Bennett provides a round-up of South West illuminated carnivals
Roger Set for Bridgwater Carnival 2009
Well its nearly here... Bridgwater Carnival takes place on Friday the 6th November and one single masquerader, Roger Muspratt-Hamilton, from Paignton, in Devon, is all geared up for it.
Roger has been out on the road since August 16th, which was his first carnival of 2009, in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, with this year's entry, entitled “Better The Devil You Know Than The Devil You Don't”, which got him a 2nd in the single adult class.
He then went to Seaton in September and managed a 3rd and has been on the road covering carnivals in Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset. Trowbridge earned Roger a 1st, and he then went to Wellington, Ilminster and Taunton in a new class all together for him this year in Walking Wheeled and did well with getting 1st at all of these and also winning the class in South Somerset.
He then ventured out in Wincanton on Saturday 24th October, which is part of the Wessex Circuit, and came away with 1st in class and to top it a Best Overall Walker of the carnival, which Roger felt was well deserved as it takes nearly and hour to get himself ready before every carnival - from make-up to checking his batteries for the many lights on his costume and getting into the costume! He has one more carnival, on Saturday 31st October, in Warminster, Wiltshire – yes, Hallowe’en and a good night for him to be out with his costume! - before he goes up to the Guy Fawkes Circuit which covers seven carnivals from the 6th November until Monday 16th November. Roger has been runner up on the county circuit in 2003 as “Jafar” and then winner in 2004 with “Arachnophobia” and also again in 2008 with “Rio Rockellio”.
He hopes to wow the crowds and also the judges and maybe come away with some silverware. He will enjoy himself what ever happens!
Watch the results!
While browsing print-outs of pages for tomorrow's paper, I have noticed an error in a picture caption.
A caption for Boogie Bass Bugs says 'Boogie Base Bugs'. I hope I won't be burnt at the stake for this.
It is entirely my fault because, as well as writing most of the Midweek Herald and taking the odd picture, I actually design it, too. Yes, I even draw those thin lines around the adverts - the ones that separate the paid-for stuff from the news.
Any carnivalite interested in the production of the paper is more than welcome to spend time with me at my Exeter Airport office to see how it's done. I'm there Fridays, Mondays and Tuesdays.
Wednesday and Thursday I'm in Honiton, getting stories. Of course, I'm also out-and-about on evenings and weekends - just in case you think only things that happen on a Wednesday and Thursday make the paper!
COVERAGE of this year's carnival will feature on pages 20, 21, 22, 40 and 41 (please note the gap between pages 22 and 40) in tomorrow's paper. I got pages 40 and 41 at the last minute.
The coverage is mainly pictorial, plus results.
This year, we have included full length shots of some floats - and we have tried, where possible, to keep spectators in the photos.
The Midweek Herald is last with the carnival coverage, because of its Wednesday publication day, so, therefore, we thought we would go for the souvenir photo spreads and hardly any words.
It was a fantastic show - and the pictures tell the story. Obviously, the results are covered.
Page 22 includes a half-page photo spread on the carnival race night, held the night before the carnival.
Belinda
CARNIVAL chairman Bill Austin ensured two special presentations were made last night.
Myrtle Harris, carnival president, received a bouquet for her unstinting efforts to gather prize money sponsorship and carnival secretary Karen Wilson was presented with a bouquet for her sheer hard work.
Marshals at this year's carnival were:
Somerset and West Dorset Marshals (formerly Yeovil)
Wellington Carnival Committe
Nymphos Carnival Club
Yarcombe Young Farmers' Club
Two carnival-spirited ladies from Sidmouth and Honiton and District Carnival Committee
I am pleased to report that pedlars behaved themselves at Honiton last night.
Not only did they stay well ahead of the procession, they worked to the side from an early point in the carnival.
They did it with a smile, which is excellent progress.
NUNSFORDS Nutters Carnival Club would like to thank Graham Pady for his invaluable help this year.
Mr Pady provided cover for the club while they upgraded their 2009 entry.
Prior to this year, the club had not been able to properly decorate its tractor.
Stig of the Dump was the result, with a professional finish to the overall entry.
Reports that Tango JCC have split up and will not be appearing at Taunton Carnival are untrue, Carnival Capers has been asked to point out.
CARNIVAL clubs came to each other’s aid during this year’s ill-fated Chard and District Carnival – before police stopped them lifting low power cables with specialist poles and evacuated the area.
The root of last Saturday’s problem was in Old Town, where low power cables saw Harlequin CC successfully lift them, using poles, to get by.
Other carts followed on behind with no problem.
When Domino CC’s Zombie approached the spot, Harlequin members returned to help them through.
Judge Katy Paul, who was standing near the spot, said: “Police then said it was dangerous and evacuated the area.”
Katy and fellow judge Fiona Palmer were among those judging the majorette, youth, walking groups and best make-up classes, when the carnival came to a grinding halt.
“The carnival started on time at 7.30pm, but came to a halt an hour later,” said Katy.
“All judging was null and void when the carnival was then abandoned.”
Karizma Majorettes reached the finish line in Chard at 9.30pm.
Video footage of the event reveals the carnival started on time and that confusion over a hold up led to serious problems for larger entries.
Entrants have told Carnival Capers they weren't entirely sure what the hold-up was.
Some believed it was caused by overhead cables, others that a cart had become stuck on a bend.
Majorettes were able to complete the route by reducing the width of their displays.
IN perfect weather conditions, it didn’t seem a hassle at all to be kept waiting for the start of Exmouth Carnival.
In fact, compared to Chard Carnival, held on the same night, 20 minutes late was nothing!
Many entries at Chard didn’t move off until 9pm and, eventually, the procession was abandoned. A problem with overhead cables has been blamed.
It was a different story in Exmouth where even Tango JCC made it to the ball – after initially breaking down en-route.
Eager club members were determined to take part in the procession, vowing to walk - if necessary.
In the end, they got a ride; their float arriving in time to be slipped into the moving line-up.
Exmouth boasted a fantastic number of local entries.
Brixington Ladies shone again – this time as Santa’s Harem. The plucky women took a first prize last year with Mature Majorettes.
The King and Queen of Salterton Road Recycling Centre, Tim Mann and Michelle Ferris, were the centrepiece of a quite stunning entry by Exmouth Transition Town.
Other notable local entries were fielded by Exmouth in Bloom, Exmouth Sea Cadets and a host of other youth organisations.
Steam engines from The World of Country Life lead the procession, behind the traditional fire engine.
Royalty from Topsham Town Fayre filled the vacancy in Exmouth.
The carnival attracted entries from as far afield as Dawlish, South Brent and Lyme Regis.
Majorette troupes included Dartline, Somerset Red Arrows, Seaton Fire and Ice, Diamond Cheer Squad and Lyme Regis.
First major float over the start line was award-winning comedy classic Nutters Clean Up, fielded by Nunsford Nutters CC, of Colyton.
Last to wow the crowds was the multi award winning Rollin On The River by Sidvale CC, with Jamie Baker driving the tractor.
Exmouth Carnival attracted fantastic crowds and fostered a real family atmosphere.
In positively balmy weather for October, the event rounded off yet another milestone in this year’s illuminated season.
Organiser Rob Waller deserves praise for ensuring another great night – and for the second year running ensured results were published before 11am the following day.
BEST OVERALLRolling on the River - Sid Vale CLASS A1 - OPEN1st - Rolling on the River - Sid Vale CLASS B1 - FEATURE1st - What you waiting for - Axminster YF CLASS C1 - COMIC 1st - Nutters clean up - Nunsford Nutters CLASS D1 QUEENS - under 18ft1st - To the Ball - Honiton2nd - Woodland Fantasy - Topsham3rd - Winter Time - Seaton CLASS D2 QUEENS - over 18ft1st - A touch of class - Colyton2nd - Queens of all Seasons - Ottery St Mary3rd - Queens of all Musicals - Dawlish QUEENS OF QUEENSOttery St Mary CLASS E - YOUTH1st - Gypsy Glade - South Brent2nd - Showboat - Tango3rd - Bennys Bangers - Honiton CLASS F - under 25ft1st - 25 Years of Panto2nd - Rock around the Clock3rd - Candy Land CLASS G - TRADE1st - King of the Belgians2nd - East Devon Council3rd - Crealy Park CLASS H - LOCAL1st - A night at the Musicals2nd - Fly High with W.I.3rd - Santa Sleigh CLASS J - YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS1st - Colour the World CLASS K - WALKING ADULT SINGLE1st - Through the Eye2nd - Zoriac CLASS L - WALKING ADULT PAIR1st - It's all in the Stars CLASS S - WHEELED1st - Formula Fraud CLASS X - WALKING WITH MOTOR PROPS1st - Space Bugs2nd - Crazy Colours CLASS T - MIXED GROUP1st - Withycombe Raleigh Playgroup2nd - Blooming Belles CLASS Q - YOUNG ORGANISATIONS1st - Exmouth Sea Cadets2nd - Exmouth Sea Scouts3rd - Exmouth & Budleigh Scouts4th - Concept Marshal Arts CLASS M - WALKING ADULT GROUP1st - Santas Harem CLASS N - WALKING YOUTH SINGLE1st - Icicle2nd - Harvest Time3rd - Truly Scrumptious CLASS P - WALKING YOUTH PAIRS1st - Dragons Aura2nd - Old MacDonald
Disaster stuck in Chard tonight when the town's carnival procession was abandoned.
A number of entries from East Devon made it to the start line, including Axminster's Karizma Majorettes. However, they didn't cross the finish line.
A problem with power cables near the start of the parade eventually led to the event being disbanded.
Also believed to be at Chard: Phoenix CC, Eclipse CC and possibly Roger Muspratt-Hamilton.
Email me with your stories of tonight's events in Chard.
Never mind SpecSavers - they should have come to Exmouth!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2019166&id=1505778663&l=9881fa8fc2
For pictures of tonight's carnival click the link above.
Review and results to follow.
I am at Exmouth Carnival on Saturday.
Last year, organiser Rob Waller surpassed all my expectations by having the results emailed to me first thing the following morning. In fact, Exmouth Carnival shot to the top of my table for professionalism.
Can he keep it up?
The year before, I had to press him for answers in between train stops (he's a train driver) - and he couldn't quite recall all the winners' names!
I'll be going up and down the line-up.
If you've got any club news, stop me in the street.
Also, if I haven't photographed you so far this season - GRAB ME!
See you all on Saturday.
Exclusive! Gemini CC was the top 'hit' on the Midweek Herald website last week, with over 1,000 'hits'.Well, done Gemini!
I've taken the night off, but wish I hadn't.I'm sat at home, itching to be at the start line.All those carts, especially Gemini's...If I didn't feel so ancient, I'd be there!
To enter, call 01404 42254.To buy a programme, call the same number or visit The Paper Shop, Honiton Tourist Information Centre or Honiton (Jet) Garage.
Three members have kindly agreed to assist me with marshal duties at Honiton on October 24.Thank you.
Carnival Capers will be catching up with Roger in the next few weeks - to find out what it takes to put his entry together,
A Carnival Capers photographer will be there.I'm taking a weekend off.Good luck to all entries.Revisit this site for pictures and results.
Zombie, which appeared at Wellington Carnival, has been put together by Domino CC, of Chard.
The float’s next appearance will be in Ilminster on Saturday.