Midsomer Norton Carnival Association is appealing for public support to help keep carnival alive in years to come.

Organisers are calling on the local community to lend a helping hand by collecting donations from the crowd on the night of the event.

Chairman of the Midsomer Norton Carnival Association, Steve Collins, said: “We rely on donations from the public to keep Midsomer Norton Carnival alive and to make this happen, we need people with collection buckets in the crowds to bring in donations from those enjoying the spectacular show.”

Volunteers will take home a 40% share of all the money they collect in their bucket for a charity or good cause of their choice. The remaining 60% will go towards ensuring next year’s event can go ahead.

Anyone who would like to help can pick up a collection bucket from Midsomer Norton Town Hall on Saturday, November 12th from 10 a.m. till 12 noon or can email: [email protected] to find out more.

As the event nears, the Carnival Royalty who will lead the celebrations in the glass carriage have been selected at the Grand Final held at Midsomer Norton Town Hall last Friday.

Following the Midsomer Norton heat, all the Carnival Royals appointed over the last five weeks from Peasedown St John, Radstock, Westfield and Midsomer Norton competed for the titles of District Carnival Royalty.

The judging panel, led by retiring Carnival Queen Megan Tokelove, had a tough job due to the high standard and number of entries.

Amy King, aged nine, from Westfield was appointed District Carnival Princess and Reece Dowson, aged nine, from Midsomer Norton won District Carnival Prince. Lola Callow, aged eleven, from Peasedown St John was crowned District Carnival Queen while twelve-year-old Lewis Fenton became this year’s District Carnival King.

All four royals will travel in the leading coach, with all other heat winners also taking part in the procession in limousines on the big night on Monday, November 14th.

“The response this year has been fantastic in taking the Carnival Royalty competition on the road to towns and parishes around the Somer Valley. We’ve had more entries than ever before and it has been so inspiring to see so many young people wanting to take an active part in their communities and local events in the coming year.

“I’d like to thank all those who not only took part, but the volunteers who help arrange the five weeks of competitions,” said Hazel Franklin, Secretary of the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival Association.

Suzanne Norbury