After the glittering, yet soggy, return of the Carnival to Midsomer Norton High Street last November, community leaders have been looking at how best to take forward the iconic event in 2015 – announcing this week the launch of the Midsomer Norton Carnival Partnership.

The new Partnership, operating as part of the Midsomer Norton Community Trust, will be focusing on bringing together resources and know-how to ensure that the Carnival is run in compliance with the highest standards of health and safety regulations – something that will need to be supported by a corresponding fundraising effort to pay for it.

As well as individuals from the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival Association, the Community Trust and the Chamber of Commerce, the aim is to invite a local B&NES Councillor and a Town Councillor to sit on the Partnership.

"Whilst still owning the event, with the backing of the Carnival Partnership, we will be able to secure the services of specialist event management company, Running High Events Ltd, to oversee the core operational management of the Carnival in 2015. This will provide a massive boost to up our game," said Steve Collins, Chairman of the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival Association. "At the same time, we will be able to focus our volunteer resources on liaising with the Carnival Clubs and the community."

Running High have a wealth of experience in organising large events, bringing the Bath Half Marathon to the city every March. "Having proved that Carnival can pull in a capacity crowd of all ages in 2014, the next step is to unlock its enormous promotional potential to raise the profiles of businesses who support it through sponsorship as never before in 2015," said Cllr Chris Watt (B&NES Conservative, Midsomer Norton Redfield).

Whilst plans for a new, shorter route in 2015 are well advanced, no-one involved is underestimating the challenge faced by the new Carnival Partnership. However, last year's event produced an unprecedented crowd of 11,000 people – probably the largest community event outside Bath in recent years and it is hoped that despite the problems of last year's longer route, local people will come out in force and give the Carnival their support. This year, the procession will travel the much shorter 1½-mile route from Charlton Road, Midsomer Norton, along Silver Street, turning right to go the wrong way up the High Street and turning right again at the Stones Cross Roundabout onto Radstock Road to a finish point, meaning it will no longer pass through Westfield or Radstock.