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Origins of the West Country Carnival

The West Country Carnival has its origin in a bonfire at the Cornhill in Bridgwater. This was built from a large wooden boat, filled with about 100 tar barrels and whatever other flammable rubbish was available. It is said that this tradition ceased because of a lack of suitable old boats - and the revellers' determination to maintain the custom by turning to good boats as a source of fuel!

There is still a bonfire at the Cornhill each year - but using more sustainable fuel sources. Effigies of the conspirators were traditionally paraded through the streets before being cast onto the fire. With the passing of time, the parade became more elaborate and people began to wear costumes and play music and sing. Eventually the celebrations resembled a carnival procession.

The procession of lighted torches etc through the streets of Bridgwater was modernised in 1881, using oil lamps as a light source. In 1913 electric light bulbs were introduced, and the forerunners of today’s magnificent displays passed through the streets, to the delight of the local populace.

The celebrations ceased during World War II, but one local enthusiast, Ted Lockyer, continued to walk the route each year to maintain the tradition, which was revived once the War was over.

Individual circuits and events

The Bridgwater event is only one of a number of similar carnival processions which are all interlinked, with many of the floats taking part in each parade.

The events are basically organised into 3 circuits:

Wessex Grand Prix Circuit:
 Sturminster Newton
 Trowbridge
 Mere
 Frome
 Shaftesbury
 Gillingham
 Castle Cary and Ansford
 Wincanton
 Warminster

South Somerset Federation of Carnival Committees Circuit:
 Wellington
 Ilminster
 Chard
 Taunton
 Yeovil

Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association Circuit:
 Bridgwater
 North Petherton
 Burnham-on-Sea
 Shepton Mallet
 Wells
 Glastonbury & Chilkwell
 Weston-super-Mare

From this it can be seen that the parades in the various towns form a major festival, across a wide region and over a period of some 13 weeks from beginning to end.

The main focus of the whole event is to raise money for local charities by collecting from spectators during the processions, each of which lasts for about two hours.

Some of the floats cost in excess of £20,000, to build and are the result of many thousands of man hours which continue throughout the year.

The carts are always themed, with the design and theme unrestricted. Regularly chosen themes, according to the organisers include:

Children’s Books - Peter Pan
Children’s Characters - often from Disney
History – famous battles
Geography – Greece or Spain etc
Travel – Trains etc
Popular Themes – Songs etc
The Future – Spaceships etc.

The carts are usually built by one of 60 or more local clubs. The cost of the carts is met totally by charitable donations and sponsorship from local businesses. The clubs themselves are set up and run by volunteers, and all of those involved are usually volunteers as well.

Prior to the Carnival, in a Bridgwater hall, a series of concerts are held where clubs perform on stage in their costumes with parts of their cart to show the audience what they can expect when they see the procession.

Most carts have not only the visual appeal of the design but also costumes and music chosen to match the theme.

The carts are mainly towed by tractors driven by local farmers, and another vehicle tows a generator to supply power for the lighting and music systems. Some of the generators need to be quite large, as a modern cart may have up to 30,000 light bulbs. In many cases the tractors (and even the generators) are decorated to the same theme as the cart. Carts may be (and often are) up to a maximum length of 100 feet (30 metres) long.

Not on Bonfire Night

The current timing of the Carnival procession in Bridgwater has not been without controversy. Originally the procession was on 5th November itself, but local businesses wanted this changed. Finally compromises were made on both sides, and the current timing was decided on (with the co-operation of Sedgemoor District Council, who provide entertainment to visitors from midday on Carnival Day). As a result, since 2001 the event has been held on the Friday following the nearest Thursday to 5th November.

One of the factors involved in the timing was the fact that the parade had to be scheduled before the annual North Petherton Carnival and the Black Friday celebration, where many of those who build the carts and assist in the organisation meet up to indulge in some alcoholic refreshment (often to excess).

The typical Bridgwater Carnival now comprises over 100 carts and follows a route of some 2½ miles; it takes between two and three hours for all the floats to pass by. One of the major attractions is an entry from the Notting Hill Carnival.

An unusual feature of the Bridgwater Carnival, which goes back to the days when lighting was provided by torches, is that of "Squibbing" which looks dangerous, but has not resulted in any reported injuries. In the town centre, over 100 people, known as "squibbers" hold up long wooden handles with a firework (the "squib") on the end. These fireworks used to go out with a loud bang, but that has been stopped on Health and Safety grounds. Lines of lighted fire run along the ground close to the Squibbers. It all makes an impressive sight for spectators on the High Street.

The parade attracts some 150,000 people from around the West Country, the rest of the UK and globally. Bridgwater is close to the M5 motorway, and signing and parking are plentiful. There are public grandstands, which sell out quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment.

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