Carnival Capers

BREAKING NEWS

SEATON Carnival has inspired a new illuminated event - in Bangor, Wales.

Councillor Douglas Madge, twice a former Mayor of Bangor, was in the crowds at Seaton last Saturday. He says he was so impressed, he's going to start a carnival in Bangor.

Although a veteran of organising events, which have included a multi-cultural festival and a horticultural and crafts show, Councillor Madge would like to hear from canivalies who would be willing to pass on some tips.

Councillor Madge can be contacted on 01248 351441.

Tic Toc CC - Space

Tic Toc Carnival Club, which took first prize in the non-motorised mini float class at Seaton, hails from Axminster.

The entry, Space, was put together by Darren Windsor, of Axminster, and June Harding, of Bridgwater.
Darren built the float and costume accessories (headgear and stars, etc).

The entry took around nine months to build - most evenings and most weekends.
Darren said: “I have used 4 kg of glitter, six sheets of ply and over 150 lights. The float is based on a picture my son James drew. I built the float on our patio.”
Costumes were designed and made by June. She loves carnivals and has made costumes for some of the bigger clubs.

“She has done a fantastic job and the costumes and float compliment each other,” said Darren
“We plan to attend all eight East Devon carnivals and currently plan to attend Bridgwater.
“Although we call ourselves Tic Toc CC, we are not really a club - we are a homebuilt family entry. Two families, both with young children, are involved. The Dicks family are from Honiton.”

Space Girls,

Rosie Windsor age 6
Georgia Windsor age 6
James Windsor age 9
Sophie Windsor age 13
India Dicks age 9
Charlotte Dicks age 6

Space Boys.

Darren Windsor age 36
James Windsor age 9
Brent Dicks age 36

The float pushers.

Charlotte Windsor
Sandie Windsor
John Hill
Micky Dicks

Launch of Colyton Carnival Week

Colyton Carnival Week will launch with a coffee morning in the town hall on Saturday, followed at 2pm by the crowning of the town's new carnival queen.

Names of the new royal family members will be announced just before the crowning ceremony.

Please note: Colyton is the THIRD carnival on the circuit this year. Sidmouth will host this Saturday's procession, with Colyton the week after.

Nunsford Nutters extra

NUNSFORD Nutters' make-up artist Jackie Naylor attended the course at Bridgwater.

Long-serving club member George Newton was not at Seaton last Saturday and his name was, unfortunately, missed off our initial list.

Are you ready for Sidmouth Carnival?

SIDMOUTH Carnival will take place on Saturday, the second event on the East Devon circuit.

The carnival has been pushed forward for an earlier date this year, having previously been held after processions in the Axe Valley.

Carnival Capers will be there.

We will be providing full reporting cover, print and web, for the Sidmouth Herald.

Nymphos CC, Seaton Carnival Queen and Tango JCC are required to be on stand-by for video interviews and float footage.

You've been warned!

Venture Scouts go wild

OTTERY St Mary Venture Scouts, among the most ardent of carnivalites on the East Devon circuit, are back this year with Ventures Go Wild. The entry took second prize in the open under 30ft class.

Pictures feature on this website.

The Harlequin connection

JESSICA Dawe, three, and Megan Norman, also three, entered Seaton Carnival in the non-motorised mini-float class as Cousins CC.

Their entry, Stop The Pigeon, was highly commended.

They are off to a good footing in carnival - thanks to a family connection to the mighty Harlequin CC, of Ilminster.

Bless you, Barbara

BARBARA Dearden-Potter may have resigned as president of Seaton Carnival Committee over its decision to accept a donation from Tesco, which is seeking to build a store in the resort, but she's still got the carnival spirit.

Regardless of any perceived rift, she was out among the crowds last Saturday - acting as an official carnival collector.

Well done, Barbara!

Cameron Cooke, South Brent

YOUNG Cameron Cooke, who is just five, is enjoying his second year on the East Devon carnival circuit.

After entertaining crowds with an ocean theme last year, he's back to wow judges with Jungle Safari.

He was a prize winner at Seaton and comes from South Brent.

Ayshburton Stannery CC

AYSHBURTON Stannery CC, stalwarts of the tableau class, thrilled spectators at Seaton with a highly original entry.

The Viking theme was a crowd pleaser.

For a picture of Ayshburton's Lil smith and Darren White, see our photo gallery of the event.

Wild Boyz - pin-up picture

A PIN-up size photo of Wild Boyz On Tour will appear on page 22 of this week's Midweek Herald.

Further pictures and a report of Seaton Explorers' 2008 entry will appear on page 11.

Record crowds at Seaton

AS England bathed in 24 hours of summer on Saturday, Seaton Carnival took to the road - just hours before a thunderstorm lashed the region.

More than 40 entries lined the route, including some of the East Devon circuit's greatest contenders and a not insignificant sprinkling of new hopefuls, nearly all from Honiton.

Carnival chairman Peter Burrows has reported record crowds and is hopeful of a record collection total.

Sidvale CC stole the show with its breath-taking rendition of a Disney theme, Mickey Express.

As ever, Colyton entries dominated the comic class - the Nymphos taking the carnival spirit to almost the limit with an outstanding theme, Nymphos Probe Uranus, and Nunsford Nutters pulling out all the stops for its gutsy Hey Big Suspender.

Seaton has a new float hope on the circuit in the guise of Seaton Explorers CC.

Formed as part of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme last year, club members had so much fun they have decided to continue.

This year's entry, Wild Boyz, is an 85ft-long extravaganza and is likely to put Seaton on the map at carnivals throughout East Devon and beyond.

It was so popular with teenagers that an entourage of supporters, many girls, attempted to follow the float along the route.

Although Seaton-based groups were thin on the ground, the resort benefited from a sudden upsurge in enthusiasm for the illuminated genre of carnival.

Two new entries have emerged from Honiton - a float, Dr Who, from 1st Honiton Scouts, and a dance troupe, Boogie Bass Bugs.

Results posted on this website.

BREAKING NEWS: Bonnie's last year

AFTER 30 years on the circuit, seasoned carnivalite Bonnie Tutty says this will be her last on the road.

Bonnie, of Dawlish, says she's now old enough to carry a bus pass.

She is on the East Devon circuit in the walking pairs class as Willow Pattern with Emma Witton.

A touch of witchcraft from farmers

Axminster Young Farmers' Club - Halloween

THIS very ambitious entry is bold step up from the club's 2007 eye-popper, Showtime.

It is a complete change, with some fantastic workmanship in the build.

Gone are fishnet tights and skimpy outfits. Witches are the order of the day for this year.

Music makes carnival go round

MUSIC can make or break a carnival float entry and this year's selection of tunes is among the best ever heard on the East Devon circuit.

The Only Way Is Up, epitomised by '90s icon Yaz, accompanies this year's entry from Nymphos CC, of Colyton.

Meanwhile, Sidvale CC is enhancing its spectacular Mickey's Express with Mickey's March and Hillside Garage, of Honiton, is using Michael Jackson's classic Thriller as its backdrop.