After a relaunch which has seen the route return to Midsomer Norton High Street and two previous torrentially wet years, it was third time lucky for Midsomer Norton Carnival, as the crowds came out to support the event on Monday evening, 14th November – on a reasonably dry and mild night. Organisers are now hopeful that this year’s event will have seen carnival-goers give generously, to help secure the event’s future.

Lighting up the dark winter streets, the procession kicked off from Charlton Road, Midsomer Norton, with majorettes, Carnival Royalty, masqueraders, charity collectors, trade vehicles and of course, the decorated floats that are the result of a year’s hard work by local clubs. The procession then travelled down the hill into Silver Street, before making a grand entrance, past the Town Hall and up the High Street, passing the Stones Cross and finishing on Radstock Road.

A number of community groups were collecting at the event, which raises thousands of pounds for local charities each year. However, with rising costs, (estimated at around £40,000 to put on), it is hoped that locals gave generously on the night – the total of which is still being counted. Whilst there were some teething problems with the route change in the previous years, the weather was kind and this year’s event seemingly went without a hitch.

Steve Collins, from the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival Association, hailed the event “a success and a great Carnival”, whilst Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton, said of the event: “Monday’s Andrews Midsomer Norton Carnival saw thousands of local people of all ages from across the Somer Valley enjoy a fantastic event.

“On behalf of the town, I’d like to thank all those hundreds of people who made it possible and specifically the main sponsors, Andrews, Wickes and the Somer Valley Chamber, the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival Association, the Community Trust, the collectors for good causes, Running High Events, B&NES Council’s events and traffic officers, the Police, and of course, all the local residents for supporting this iconic event.”

Provisional results as The Journal went to press were:

Open Tableau Cart

1st: Huckyduck Carnival Club – The Great Fire Of London, 2nd: King William Carnival Club – Abandoned Emporium.

Local Tableau

1st: Oasis Carnival Club – The Show Must Go On.

Open Feature Cart

1st: Eclipse Carnival Club – Loggers Yard, 2nd: Hot Rock Carnival Club – Stobor, 3rd: Highwayman/Little Devils Carnival Club – Lets-A-Go.

Local Feature Cart

1st: Shambles Carnival Club – Grease Lightning.

Comic Feature Cart

1st: Just Georges Carnival Club – Diddley Dee, 2nd: Luckington Carnival Club – St Trinians, 3rd: 2Rs Carnival Club – Wild West Peckham, 4th: Mardons Carnival Club – Just Eat It

Juvenile Cart

1st: Storm Juvenile Carnival Club – Rockin All Over The World.

Group of Masqueraders

1st: Aliens Carnival Club – Rock Me, 2nd: Susan Hill School of Dance – Mermaids Paradise.

Group of Masqueraders Juvenile

1st: Writhlington Dance – Warriors of the World.

Pair of Masqueraders

1st: Dee Gees Carnival Club – Well Something Is Better Than Nothing, 2nd: RJ Carnival Club – Mario Speaks No Americano.

Single Adult Masquerader

1st: Michael Churches – Real Reflection, 2nd: The Academy of Carnival (Simon Jackson) – Katog, 3rd: Abbie Haines – Spirella’s Palette, 4th: The Academy of Carnival (Adam Cox) – Lovestruck, 5th: Spirit Carnival Club – Deco.

Single Juvenile Masquerader

1st: Lotty Wheeler – Beetlemania, 2nd: Izzy Wheeler – Faerie Betula Pendula, 3rd: The Academy of Carnival (Georgia Kitchen) – Kaleidoscope of Colour, 4th: The Academy of Carnival (Callum Kitchen) – Zoltar, 5th: Carina Haines – Czarevna’s Glacial Odyssey, 5th: Ethan Pickersgill – Awakening, 7th: The Academy of Carnival (Holly Kitchen) – Joker of the Pack.

Class for those with disabilities

1st: The Academy of Carnival – Head of the Table, 2nd: Chipmunks Carnival Club – Topcat.

Majorettes

1st: Enigma – Frozen Fantasy, 2nd: Stardust Majorettes, 3rd: Holcombe Twirlers.