West Country Carnival

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"Samurai" by Griffens CC, Burnham on Sea Carnival 2006
"Samurai" by Griffens CC, Burnham on Sea Carnival 2006
Front of "Ghost Ship (Deliver Us)" by Gremlins CC, Burnham on Sea Carnival 2006. Winner of six prizes at Bridgwater 2006, including the "Hardy Spicer Cup" for the overall champion float
Front of "Ghost Ship (Deliver Us)" by Gremlins CC, Burnham on Sea Carnival 2006. Winner of six prizes at Bridgwater 2006, including the "Hardy Spicer Cup" for the overall champion float

The West Country Carnival is an annual celebration featuring a parade of illuminated floats (termed "carts" locally), in the English West Country. The celebration dates back to the Gun Powder Plot of 1605.

The series of parades in each town now form a major regional festival, and the largest light festival in Europe. Some carts cost in excess of £20,000 to build and are the result of thousands of man hours work throughout the year.

The events purpose, as it has always been from the start, raises thousands of pounds for local charities from money collection carts in the two hour procession.

Contents

[edit] History

The timing of the West Country Carnival close to the British celebration of Bonfire night is no coincidence, as the roots of the original carnival in Bridgwater date back to 1605

Guy Fawkes is the character most associated with the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament, however the instigator was Jesuit priest Robert Parsons from Nether Stowey, a short distance from Bridgwater. Parsons and his colleagues were Catholics who wanted to put an end to the Protestant parliament of the day and hence they planned their ill-fated attempt on 5 November 1605.

Bonfire night is a major annual celebration across the whole of the UK, but it is likely that the reason that the West Country Carnival was originally so keenly celebrated is that the South West towns were predominantly Protestant - hence the celebration of Robert Parsons (and Guy Fawkes) failure. The religious origins of the event are almost forgotten and far less significant today

[edit] Bridgwater

"Umoja" by Vagabonds CC, Burnham on Sea Carnival 2006
"Umoja" by Vagabonds CC, Burnham on Sea Carnival 2006

The original Bridgwater celebrations consisted of a large bonfire at the Cornhill. Built out of a large wooden boat, around one hundred tar barrels where added together with just about anything else available which could be burned. This tradition was stopped due to lack of old wooden boats to burn, and because a number of good boats were thrown onto the fire and burnt by over-enthusiastic revellers

Effigies or "guys" representing the gunpowder plot instigators were added to the fire by local groups of people known as gangs. It would seem it was these gangs who started the trend towards a procession, as they paraded their guys towards the bonfire. As years passed by, the tradition was continued and the annual celebration became more and more elaborate, involving costumes and music, until the key feature of the event was a large carnival procession.

The local people who dressed up and took part in the event were known as "Masqueraders" or "Features" - terms still used today to describe the parade participants.

There were no parades during World War II, but a local carnival enthusiast Ted Lockyer walked the carnival route for six years to keep the tradition going.

[edit] Squibbing

In addition to the carnival procession, the tradition of "squibbing" still occurs after the procession ends. A squib locally is a firework which is held aloft by a person known as a "squibber" on the end of a long wooden handle called a "cosh". One hundred squibbers stand in line in Bridgwater town centre making an unusual but impressive sight for visitors who crowd the High Street

Originally the squibs were made specially for Bridgwater Carnival and were known as the Bridgwater Squib, which culminated with a large bang as each squib extinguishes. With modern Health and Safety concerns, it has become difficult to purchase squibs with a bang, and inlight of rising insurance costs the present day squib's used have no bang

Lines of flammable liquid are also run along the ground by the squibbers and lit to add more to the spectacle. Visitors often think the whole sight looks a little dangerous, but the event is well organised and nobody has been hurt to date

[edit] Modern Times

Dragon on "Ice Warz" by Pentathlon CC, Burnham on Sea Carnival 2006
Dragon on "Ice Warz" by Pentathlon CC, Burnham on Sea Carnival 2006

The Bridgwater carnival is believed to be the largest illuminated carnival in Europe, if not the world. It first modernised in 1881 and was originally lit by lamps; electric lights were first introduced in 1913

Bridgwater carnival now consists of a display of over 100 large vehicles up to 100 feet long, festooned with dancers and up to 22,000 lightbulbs, that follows a 2.5 mile route over 2 to 3 hours. 2005 included the "Masquerade 2000" entrantants from Notting Hill Carnival, which it is hoped will become an annual entry. The official web site contains photos and video clips

Bridgwater now attracts around 150,000 people from around the West Country, UK and globally. Parking from the M5 is well sign posted and plentiful, and managed by the committee in association with Avon and Somerset Police. Public access Grandstands were introduced in the mid 1990's, which have increased in popularity over recent years: 2003 & 2004 being sold out by mid/late October. Since 2004 there have been 10 grandstands, with seating numbered and having some cover against the potential of inclement weather. The stand locations in 2006 are located at: Broadway East (8); and Broadway West (2)

The events purposes, as it has always been from the start, raises thousands of pounds for local charities from money collection carts in the procession

[edit] Carnival concert

The carnival concert takes place in the weeks leading up to the carnival. At these concerts, carnival clubs perform on stage wearing their costumes and using pieces of scenery taken from their carts. After not being well patronised for a period, the carnival concert has become a highly popular attraction in recent years, with tickets to see the event in a Bridgwater hall selling out very quickly - partly due to increased publicity, and partly as the popularity of the carnival increases it is an easy access way to see the carnival over more days

[edit] Calendar and controversy

"YÁN HUÓ" by Masqueraders CC. Burnham on Sea Carnival 2006
"YÁN HUÓ" by Masqueraders CC. Burnham on Sea Carnival 2006

The Bridgwater carnival had traditionally been held on Bonfire night, or November 5th. This was then formalised in 1919 post World War I, as the carnival circuits were formed to be held on the first Thursday of November - Thursday was traditionally early closing day for shops in Bridgwater.

Local Government Authorities and Businesses were keen to the reschedule the event to a weekend date - presumably to make it more convenient for visitors to attend. This has met strong resistance from many locals who believe the tradition of so many years should be maintained, and from others who are concerned that the proposed new timing could affect the ability of clubs to participate in other local carnival processions - North Petherton carnival has traditionally taken place on the following Saturday. The new timing would also spoil another local tradition known as Black Friday where locals celebrate their hard work on carnival in an alcoholic manner

However, accepting that shops and work times in the present have changed greatly and the local economic business need, the Bridgwater Carnival Committee decided, not without much controversy, to move the Carnival to a Friday with effect from 2001. This was part of a strategy to keep the carnival alive in the long term, with the committee working with Sedgemoor District Council to provide entertainment for visitors from midday on Carnival day. It is hoped that as a result of the changed date many visitors will come earlier and stay longer, perhaps taking in some of the other Carnivals and entertainment provided locally

[edit] The carnival circuit

"Samba Carnival" by Harlequin CC, Burnham on Sea 2006
"Samba Carnival" by Harlequin CC, Burnham on Sea 2006

The Bridgwater carnival was the first carnival of its type, however other carnival processions within the South West began some years ago. They start in late August and continue until late November. The oldest and largest circuit is the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association Circuit which starts at Bridgwater, with many of the carts will appear in all of the carnivals. Prizes are awarded in several categories for the best carts in each carnival

The three circuits are:

There is one unofficial carnival in the circuit, held at Midsomer Norton on the Thursday between the Shepton Mallet and Wells carnivals. There are also a series of unofficial Christmas carnivals, including Sidmouth

[edit] Carts and floats

Uniquely in the West Country, the vehicles are called carnival "carts", unlike other carnivals where the term carnival float is used. The term "cart" is still used today to describe the large and elaborate trailers used in the procession. Carts are built by local clubs of individuals funded totally by charitable donations and sponsorship from local businesses.

Carts are always themed, with no restriction on the theme from the organising committee. Regularly chosen themes include:

  • Popular children's books - like Alice in Wonderland
  • Favourite children's characters - such as Disney characters
  • Scenes or themes from history - like Pre-Historic, Victorian or famous Battles
  • Scenes or themes from around the world - such as Australia, Rio de Janeiro or Spanish
  • Travel and transport - such as cars or trains, e.g. The Chattanooga Cho-Cho
  • Popular themes of the day - including pop songs or dances
  • The future or exploration - such as space
"Englands Glory" by Crusaders CC, Burnham on Sea Carnival 2006
"Englands Glory" by Crusaders CC, Burnham on Sea Carnival 2006

Carts include both music and costumed people to complete their theme. People and items on the cart can either be moving, or static in tableau format - the later being difficult to hold position for on a cold November evening

Today these carts are driven by farmers' tractors, and usually also tow a large diesel driven electricity generator to provide the huge amount of power required to power the carts. Some generators used can provide over a megawatt of power, with 10,000 to 30,000 light bulbs not uncommon on a modern day cart. The tractors themselves are often decorated to match the rest of the cart and generator, and in some cases modified so that the driver is positioned low down between the two front wheels. This allows for a higher degree of decoration without obscuring the drivers view. The length of the entire cart is often built to the maximum allowable of 100ft.

[edit] Carnival clubs

Carts or floats are built by local clubs of individuals funded totally by charitable donations and sponsorship from local businesses. Some carts cost in excess of £20,000 to build and are the result of thousands of man hours work throughout the year. Most clubs are based around local working or social circles, such as pubs and clubs. Many clubs have specialist Juvenile Carnival clubs for the under 18s. To join an adult 18 and over club, an initiation ceremony is often involved. All work is carried out in the spare time of the club members on a voluntary basis - often working all night in the final few days to get carts ready.

At the end of the carnival season, many think that that the work is over until the next year - but for the Carnivalites, the season never ends. Before Christmas new club officers are voted in for the following year, and by the end of January the idea for next year has already been chosen and plans are being made. Then the fundraising begins: bars, buffets, race nights, bingo nights, anything to keep raising funds.

It is surprising with all the expense that anyone pulls out a cart or puts on a show at all, but that’s where the spirit of Carnival comes into play. Being a member of such an organisation not only gives plenty to do in members spare time and an excellent social life, but the sense of pride when everything comes together for the opening night of concerts or the feeling members get when they pull the cart out of the shed on carnival day.

Genghis Khan by Wick CC, Burnham on Sea Carnival 2006
Genghis Khan by Wick CC, Burnham on Sea Carnival 2006

[edit] List of carnival clubs

The following is a list of major carnival clubs and their home town locations:

[edit] See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

[edit] References

  • "Remember Remember". The Story of Bridgwater Carnival, written by Chris Hocking who is president of Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee
  • Somerset Carnivals: A Celebration of 400 Years, Roger Evans & Peter Nichols, ISBN 1-84114-483-5
  • "Bridgwater with and without the 'e' " ', Roger Evans, ISBN 0-9525674-0-7
  • A History of Bridgwater, J.C. Lawrence, ISBN 1-86077-363-X
  • Bridgwater Victorian Days, Philip James Squibbs, ISBN 0-9501022-1-0
  • Somerset in the Age of Steam, Peter Stanier, ISBN 0-86183-481-X

[edit] External links

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