Carnival Capers

See you at Exmouth!

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:45:00 GMT

CARNIVAL Capers will be in Exmouth tomorrow night (October 11) for the next procession on the East Devon circuit.

I'll be trawling the line-up for snippets of news from around 5.30pm.

Exmouth Carnival will be filmed and the video will go 'live' on Carnival Capers probably on Monday morning.

Rob Waller, carnival organiser, has promised to improve his results service this year. Hopefully, I'll have them on-line on Sunday.

Fingers crossed!!!

Countdown to Honiton and District Carnival

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:44:00 GMT

HONITON and District Carnival Committee are holding a tabletop sale in the Mackarness Hall tomorrow (October 11).

Refreshments will be available during the morning event.

Also on sale will be copies of this year's carnival programme.

Missing communications radio

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:06:00 GMT

IT is with great disappointment that I have to report the possible theft of a communications radio worth £300.

The state-of-the-art radio, issued at Wellington Carnival, was signed out but not returned.

Yeovil District Marshals and I are distraught that an independent individual, with no connection to Honiton, Yeovil or Wellington Carnival Committee, may be to blame.

Luckily, I videoed a suspect with the radio and the Herald's web editor, Sally Fairbrother, has kindly burnt off a copy of my original, unedited film for Wellington Carnival Committee to show police.

When I tried to speak to Wellington Police, as the individual's team leader on the night, a control room worker refused to put me through to the station, saying staff would be unable to help - even though I pointed out officers covering the carnival seemed to know the individual by name.

It may be an innocent mistake but, in the meantime, Wellington Carnival Committee faces an unexpected, large bill.

Ilminster illuminated funfair

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:04:00 GMT

THE funfair, which aimed to complement Ilminster Carnival, in my view, went one better than the procession.

It offered a stunning array of new rides, ones I'd never seen before and could never have imagined in my wildest dreams.

From the awe-inspiring Shuttle to the Speedway and big dipper, which looked like an illuminated Willow Man from certain angles, it was a treasure.

The carnival was a slight disappointment, but the fair was as awe inspiring as Harlequin's Festival of the Lion King.

Ilminster's fair made a change from East Devon's boring mix of the Waltzers and Twister, but my daughter wouldn't agree - she's a Waltzer devotee.

I love the Twister, but only when 'Dancing In The City' is played at full blast. Perhaps Anderton and Rowland could oblige at Honiton? I'll be first in the queue!

Moans and groans

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:02:00 GMT

SORRY, but I've got some moans and groans - East Devon circuit.

Results are the be-all and end-all of carnival for participants and, so far this season, getting the results has been like getting blood out of a stone.

Carnival committees, take a leaf out of Karen Wilson's book. She's the secretary of Honiton & District Carnival and ensures results are emailed to the local press before the end of Sunday (the day after the night before).

This type of service is essential. Carnival committees need to appoint a specific person to this role.

What is a carnival without results? Reading results over the phone to newspapers on deadline, losing the results or making no arrangements whatsoever is an insult to the clubs and individuals who work hard all year to make carnival what it is. We all owe them a better service.

Also, please, please, please, if you've got a carnival queen make sure she is on parade - not wheeled out at the last moment. She and her royal party are the figureheads of your processions and they need proper press attention.

Interviews and pictures before or, at the very least, at the start of events are essential.

We need to develop the role of Carnival Queens to promote future entries and support from young people.

Ilminster Carnival - picture special

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:28:00 GMT

A full, picture round-up of most entries at Ilminster will appear on this website between now and Wednesday morning.

Watch this space!

Exmouth and Chard Carnivals clash

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:27:00 GMT

THE next carnival on the East Devon circuit takes place on Saturday (October 11) in Exmouth. The event clashes with Chard, where Seaton Explorer Scouts are expected to appear. Your Herald will be in Exmouth, providing reporting cover for sister newspaper The Exmouth Journal. Organiser Rob Waller has told the Herald he is expecting Exmouth to host the carnival with the biggest number of local entries in East Devon.

Eclipse CC - most improved?

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:25:00 GMT

MOST IMPROVED: Eclipse CC, which rose from the ashes of Awliscombe-based High Spirits, is among the most improved clubs of 2008. The build of the club's 2008 entry is not only 'clean', but bright and professional.

Ilminster Carnival - results

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:24:00 GMT

Click the link to South West Carnivals website on this page.

Ilminster Carnival - review

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:22:00 GMT

CARNIVAL clubs from East Devon prevented one of the traditional highlights on the South Somerset carnival circuit from experiencing one of its poorest ever float turnouts.

Four floats from East Devon made last Saturday's line-up at Ilminster, but carnival-goers are still waiting to see this year's debut from Broadclyst-based Phoenix CC.

All eyes had been on Ilminster after Phoenix, which has strong support from Honiton and across East Devon, failed to make the start-line at Wellington the weekend before.

While the bulk of East Devon entries made the most of a break on their circuit, Seaton Explorer Scouts, Nunsford Nutters CC, Eclipse CC and Tango JCC journeyed across the border.

Also supporting the second carnival on the South Somerset calendar was walking wheeled club A&A, of Kilmington, and Lyme Regis Majorettes.

For A&A CC Ilminster was an event not to be missed. Members of A&A, including Nigel Phillips, are also members of Ilminster-based Harlequin CC, on the road this year with Festival of the Lion King, one of the most spectacular feature floats carnival-goers will see before the start of the Guy Fawkes circuit.

Mr Phillips made some of the animal models on the float. He traditionally joins Harlequin, as a performer, at North Petherton after taking his walking entry to Bridgwater.

Unfortunately, Harlequin will not be appearing at any carnival in East Devon. A tree-lined section of the route from Ilminster to Honiton has damaged the club's float in years gone by.

If you want to see why Festival of the Lion King is likely to go down as one of carnival's 'greats', don't miss Taunton Carnival, taking place during a second break on the East Devon circuit, on Saturday, October 18.

Poor weather, including a strengthening wind, failed to put off spectators in Ilminster. The town is historically, from the days of the late, great Aldonvale and Springfield clubs, been one of the biggest breeding grounds of top class entries in the world of illuminated carnivals.

The town now boasts a forerunner in the walking groups class, in the shape of Xtreme CC. Boogie Bass Bugs, of Honiton, could one day be East Devon's equivalent.

Whatever the Weather - Brimgrovers JCC

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:20:00 GMT

FOLLOWING on from a well-received Christmas-themed float, which made an appearance in Honiton last year, Brimgrovers JCC, of Shepton Beauchamp, near Ilminster, has notched up a gear with Whatever the Weather.

I think this year's entry, which caused an unintentional hold-up at Ilminster last weekend, is among the most improved from established clubs.

Brimgrovers' 2007 offering appears in this year's full colour, glossy programme for Honiton & District Carnival.

Domino is back on the road

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:17:00 GMT

DOMINO CC, of Chard, is back on the road with a float after taking time out to invest in barn accommodation.

The club, which has enjoyed an illustrious history, appeared last year at Honiton in the walking groups class.

Your Herald can reveal Domino intends to support Honiton and District Carnival again this year.

Look out for a float with lots of hearts!

News from Weston-super-Mare Carnival

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:11:00 GMT

WESTON Carnival organisers are appealing for the public to donate more money at this year's event.

Spectators only handed over £11,000 to the charity collection floats and bucket holders at last year's glittering procession.

The total was down from £14,000 in 2006 and around half the amount the festival raised at the beginning of the decade.

Weston November Carnival Committee member Brian Coombes said: "We hope people will dig deep into their pockets because last year's total was disappointing.

"A lot of charities benefit from the donations so it would be nice if we could improve on the total.

"Seven or eight years ago we were raising more than £20,000, but the donations have dropped off."

Among the charities to benefit from carnival donations are the Weston Group of Friends, Avalon Round Table, the RNLI and Avon Fire and Rescue Service.

The money, which was previously counted at the Grand Pier, will be totalled at a different venue this year.

The pier's change-counting machines perished in the fire, which left carnival organisers without a venue to add up the donations.

However, after an appeal was made to local businesses, Olympia Arcade came forward and will be allowing their machines to be used this year.

Arcade manager Cary Wilkins said: "The carnival is a great tradition in the town and it's a pleasure to help in any way we can.

"We're just happy we could step in to help out such a great event.

"The whole of Weston benefits from the night and we didn't hesitate to pledge our support."

Brian said hopes were high for this year's event.

He added: "We're all really looking forward to the event and can't wait to get going."

Entry forms are currently being sent to all the regular clubs, but anybody who wants to enter the carnival for the first time should call Brian on 01934 428550.

Behold, Harlequin!

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:36:00 GMT

Festival of the Lion King is the theme of Harlequin CC's 2008 entry. It was unveiled to gasps of delight in Wellington last Saturday.

The float, which is purported to boast 15,000 lights, is a sight to behold.

I don't think anything will beat it on the South Somerset circuit this year. It truly is breath-takingly spectacular.

See Harlequin on home turf at Ilminster this coming Saturday.

If you can't wait, we've filmed the club's 2008 debut at Wellington. Footage will go 'live' on this website later today.

Domino's Shirley Ball - video

belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:34:00 GMT

SHE'S still got it and you still want to see it! Shirley Ball, of Domino CC, Chard, was filmed in full flow at Wellington last Saturday.

Watch the footage later today when our Wellington Carnival video goes 'live'. We are just putting the finishing touches to it.