With the prospect of a new route and a major increase in the size of the carnival on 10th November this year, the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival Association is looking to recruit new members to support and help manage what looks set to be a bigger and better event than ever before.
Some of the first local people to respond to the call for new members have been Cllr Geoff Fuller, of Westfield Parish Council, Cllr Paul Myers, of Midsomer Norton and Cllr Simon Allen, of Radstock, all of whom are keen to support the new carnival route and expansion.
"We've been meeting for over a year to plan and develop a new carnival route. To date, we've had considerable success in attracting back large floats, so we're now looking to attract members and sponsors, as well as training up new marshals and encourage the formation of new, locally-based carnival clubs. To this end, we're planning a range of open evenings and workshops to enable local people to learn more about carnival and just what great fun it can be," said Amy Purchase, from the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival Association.
The history connections and loyalty to carnival in the Somer Valley is a strong one. Midsomer Norton was a founder member of the the Guy Fawkes Carnival Circuit, which formed just after the war in 1947. At that time, most local firms had floats which entered carnival and it was a high spot of the community year. Then, as now, carnival is not just about the large floats – it is about taking part and there are many ways to do this, from groups entering the parade with a walking entry in their first year, to building up to complex floats.
If readers are interested in finding out more about becoming involved with the local carnival, the first open evening will take place on Wednesday, 28th May, at 7.30 p.m. in the Assembly Room at Midsomer Norton Town Hall. Run by the Carnival Association and sponsored by Midsomer Norton Town Council, the aim is to provide full details of the new route and plans for this year. The evening will include cheese and wine refreshments and entry is free of charge. For further details, visit: http://www.illuminatedcarnival.co.uk">www.illuminatedcarnival.co.uk
The new, proposed route for carnival was tested back in February this year and ran smoothly, apart from the traffic island and pavement opposite the Town Hall, in Midsomer Norton, causing a ten-minute delay whilst it was negotiated.
The Carnival Association and those keen to see the floats return to the High Street is currently in talks with B&NES Council, with meetings and surveys due to take place to see what can be done to make access easier and ensure that the new route can be used.