Carnival-goers are being asked to dig deep and donate as they enjoy this year’s illuminated spectacular. The Andrews Midsomer Norton Carnival, probably the largest community event in the Somer Valley, is all set to take place on Monday, 14th November.

Sponsored by Andrews, Wickes, Midsomer Norton Town Council, the Somer Valley Chamber, Farrington’s Farm Shop, Edwards Opticians and many more local businesses, the event provides an opportunity for the whole community to come together for an evening of glittering spectacle.

Carnival is also one of the largest charity fundraisers in the area – raising thousands of pounds for local charities, community groups and good causes. However, with mounting expenses for health and safety compliance and operating costs, Midsomer Norton’s Mayor, Cllr Paul Myers, has backed the Carnival Association’s appeal to the community to support this much loved event to ensure its future survival.

Despite volunteers giving their time for free to organise Carnival, it has still cost £40,000 to put on this year, equating to an estimated contribution of £4 a head for everyone attending. On the night, distinctive yellow supporters’ wrist bands will be on sale to raise funds.

There will also be collectors in the crowd gathering donations from carnival-goers in buckets. A number of community groups and organisations are showing their support by helping raise funds on the night. Wickes in Old Mills will be donating drain pipes to allow collectors to reach the back of the crowds in the hope of making sure the cost of carnival can be covered.

Alongside the walking collectors there will be several collection vehicles joining the procession, including an ex-British army Alvis Stormer armoured personnel carrier, usually used as the platform for a Starstreak anti-aircraft rocket. Vernon Hill, from Mendip Shooting Ground, who restored the vehicle, said: “It’s a ground to air missile carrier which we bought a while back for publicity. We’ve been driving it round on L-plates for three months, people think it’s great and are always smiling and blowing kisses.”

Carnival will start in Charlton Road at 7.30 p.m., travelling down Silver Street, up Midsomer Norton High Street and the last cart will cross the finish on Radstock Road (at Wishford Mews) at around 10 p.m. The procession will take about one hour to pass each point and each entry will take about 1.5 hours to cover the procession route. Road closures and parking suspensions (towaways) will apply along the whole procession route as per signage.

Closures and reopenings will be staggered, Midsomer Norton High Street, from the Town Hall to the Stones Cross will close at 5.30 p.m., followed by Charlton Lane at 6.30 p.m. The A367 Wells Road, Fosseway and Silver Street (from Charlton Road to the High Street) will close at 7 p.m. and then the A362 Radstock Road from the High Street to Radstock Co-op’s car park will close at 8 p.m. Roads will then reopen as soon as possible.

Taking part in the Carnival procession will be more Carnival Royalty than ever before, as taking the Carnival Royalty competition on the road to towns and parishes around the Somer Valley proved a huge success. District Carnival Royalty for 2016 is made up of Carnival Princess, Amy King, Carnival Prince, Reece Dowson, Carnival Queen, Lola Callow and Carnival King, Lewis Fenton, who will be travelling in the famous Carnival Coach with all other heat winners travelling on an open-topped bus.

For further details, visit: http://www.illuminatedcarnival.co.uk where there is also a link to the Association’s Facebook page.

Suzanne Norbury