The very wet event on 10th November brought thousands of people to Midsomer Norton High Street to watch the spectacle, a culmination of two years' hard work and a dream of many to see it return to the High Street. Westfield, as 'guardians' of carnival and which has looked after it for many years since it moved out of the town, had helped sponsor the initiative, with the hope to elevate the event to county status in future. Not to be left out, Radstock was to be included in the route, too, with a good turnout by residents.

However, disaster struck in very wet conditions, leaving carts stranded on Wells Hill and some very cold and wet performers, leading to the eventual abandonment by the time it reached Westfield, much to the disappointment of everyone involved and Westfield Parish Council's dismay.

At the meeting on Monday night, Midsomer Norton Town Councillors agreed for the need for a strategic review, costing up to £4,000 'over and above what we have spent already and budgeted for next year'. The Town Council has already spent a considerable amount to support this year's event.

The idea is for an independent body, an events company, to gather the views of everyone involved, so that the Carnival Association, stakeholders and the town can put together an action plan for 2015.

This is needed. It is reported B&NES Council has grave concerns regarding safety compliance and issues going forward and is unlikely to grant the necessary road closures unless extra

resources are brought in and the mountain of necessary paperwork complied with.

Speaking at the meeting, Mayor of Midsomer Norton, Paul Myers, said: "There are all sorts of issues in the melting pot and I'm not going to speculate where the route should be – that is up to the experts. But feedback from the clubs has been that in trying to keep all three locations happy, the hills and the length of the route just didn't work.

"Our carnival is unique and could really put Midsomer Norton on the map if we build and grow it. But it won't happen unless there is some rapid work done. All the money in the world won't help unless there is some planning behind it. We need to convince the clubs to return."

It cost around £40,000 to put on the event this year, however, it was well supported by the public and the Carnival Association recorded a record charity collection. Considerable amounts of sponsorship will need to be found for next year's event and it is likely that B&NES will require necessary paperwork by February/March 2015 so that plans can be reviewed with final sign-off in September next year.

"Midsomer Norton Carnival simply isn't going to happen again, in my view, unless there are major changes in the way the event is managed," continued Cllr Myers. "The lesson from this year for this Council is that it is simply not enough to provide well intentioned help, support and funding. The Carnival Association need external expertise and more resources and ways need to be found to open up the event to get the community behind it in terms of money and volunteer time.

As a gesture of goodwill, the Council will pay a retrospective amount of sponsorship to the MNDCA of £1,500 on the condition that Westfield Parish Council reduce their sponsorship payment by an equal amount.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Linda Dunford said: "I was amazed to see such a huge crowd and it was wonderful to see a community of all ages out in force – something which is very special and I feel very strongly that we should encourage the carnival moving forward. This year's event was a massive task. If it had gone without a hitch, it would have been a miracle.

"I don't think it is the end of the line as far as carnival is concerned. I think everyone who was stood in Midsomer Norton High Street would support the proposals and I hope that this is just the start."