The dedicated band of volunteers who give up their time all year round to make Midsomer Norton Carnival possible have launched an appeal this week for local residents to show their support by donating £1.
In return, they will receive a yellow friendship band with the message ‘Supporting Midsomer Norton Carnival’.
The appeal is designed to tap into the local pride in Midsomer Norton Carnival, which is an iconic event in the town for all ages to enjoy, as well as raising money for good causes who collect on the night. It has been estimated that if everyone who attended donated just £2.86, most of the cost would be covered, so organisers are hoping that if it takes off, the £1 wristband initiative may go some way in helping the cause.
Founded in 1947 after the Second World War, the Carnival ran until 1961, when it was forced to close as a result of Norton Radstock Town Council’s unwillingness to allow the traditional Carnival funfair, which helped underpin the event’s finances. Eventually the Carnival returned in 1975, but it had lost its place in the Bridgwater Carnival Circuit. In the 1990s, the event left the High Street and moved to Westfield, before returning in November 2014.
“Whilst there’s huge support for Carnival on the night, with thousands of people attending, modern health and safety legislation has meant that costs have soared in recent years,” says Hazel Franklin, from the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival Association.
“I don’t think many people realise that it now costs almost £30,000 to put on Carnival. From crowd barriers to electric road signage as far out as Writhlington, we need to be able to raise the funds to cover the cost, and a pledge of just £1 for a yellow wristband can help ensure Carnival’s future.”
This year, Carnival is appealing for support with a wide range of new initiatives. There are Corporate Sponsorship Packages available for a range of budgets, which will enable local businesses to raise their brand awareness to the thousands of people who attend the event. In addition, local people can also purchase a deluxe Carnival Hospitality experience, with all-in parking, pre-event bar and buffet and prime location covered seating in the High Street.
“The Carnival Association has made a fantastic effort to meet the highest safety standards and to think of new ways to raise money to secure not just the future of this year’s event, but the whole future of Carnival,” said Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton. “I think it’s now over to the community to support it or face the prospect that in future years, we simply won’t have this amazing spectacle which lights up the Autumn season and raises so much money for local good causes.”
The Carnival Association are working hard to ensure the future of this much loved event. But now it is up to the community in the coming weeks to buy the wristbands, available from shops in the High Street and The Journal office, and step up to the challenge! For details: www.illuminatedcarnival.co.uk