Despite the general conception that Carnival ‘just happens’ once a year, unfortunately this is most definitely not the case; neither is it a free show!

Not only do the Carnival Clubs spend many months building their spectacular entries, the Carnival Towns which host these unique events have to organise and plan as well. To make sure everything is in order prior to the Carnival, and to ensure that everyone stays safe, all of the what might be considered boring logistical aspects, have to be put into place; from road closures and marshalling, to the hire of equipment, including barriers, radios, signage etc – all have to be dealt with.

And, yes, you’ve guessed it, all of this costs money!

The Carnival Clubs and Towns have to raise thousands of pounds, not only to build, but to stage these shows for your entertainment.

As always, we are appealing for Collectors to help on the night. So whether you are involved with a local organisation, anxious to raise funds for your own cause, or an individual, we would love to hear from you! We pay 40% of what you collect as a group back to you, so as you can see, this is well worth a couple of hours of anyone’s time. You can register and collect your buckets, prior to the event, this Saturday, 11th November from 10 a.m. – 12 noon at the Town Hall,

Midsomer Norton. Failing this, collection buckets will also be available from the frontage of Woodpecker Pine in Charlton Road from 6 p.m. on Carnival night.

For the first time this year, and along with fourteen other Carnival Towns, Midsomer Norton will be selling their own light up toys in an effort to raise more, much needed funds. These colourful items are considered to be part of the Carnival atmosphere, but the vast majority of pedlars, who are not invited by the Carnival Towns, have been selling these over the years and do not actually contribute any funds to the Carnival.

We have, over the last few months, been contacting local School PTAs so that they can get on board to sell these items prior to Carnival, as well as on the night, and at the same time, receiving a share of the profits for their schools. All monies raised from the sale of our light up toys will go back into Carnival and local organisations, so please ensure that you purchase your goods from our Official Sellers, who will be wearing easily identifiable, and very colourful tabards!

So whether you belong to a local organisation who would like to help collect or indeed help to sell our light up toys, please get in touch with the Secretary on: 07595 470883.

This year’s Carnival is on Monday 13th November, starting at 7.30 p.m. from Charlton Road. The procession will make its way along Charlton Road, down Silver Street, turning right the wrong way up the High Street and finishing at Midsomer Norton Enterprise Park on Radstock Road at 10 p.m.

Closures for the procession route will begin from 5.30 p.m. until midnight, with these being lifted once safe to do so. A section of the A367 Wells Road Fosseway (beyond the White Post roundabout), will be closed from 7 p.m. on Saturday, 11th November to allow larger carts to assemble.

Midsomer Norton High Street will be closed from 5.30 p.m. until 1 a.m., Charlton Lane at 6.30 p.m., with the A362 Radstock Road at 8 p.m. Charlton Lane will reopen from 8 p.m. and the west

section of the A362 Radstock Road from 11.30 p.m. The east section of Radstock Road, between the Enterprise Park and Radstock will remain closed until 2.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 14th November.

Well done to Coleford club, Huckyduck, who are sweeping up the awards so far. At Bridgwater they won First in the Tableaux, Best Costumes and Best Generator, and at Burnham-on-Sea they won First in Tableaux, Best Tableaux Entry, Best Costumes Overall and Best in Procession.