NEWS
20 October 2018
The 53rd Taunton Carnival
PROCESSION
The 53rdAnnual Illuminated Procession moves off this Saturday at 7pm sharp from the bridge in Tangier Way and down into Wood Street. It turns right into Bridge Street before going up through the town centre into East Street and down over East Reach. The public performance and judging ends at the junction with Wordsworth Drive.
The spectacle begins with a cavalcade of the ever-popular Harley Davidson motorcycles parading around the route to ‘warm up’ the crowds followed by last –year’s class-winning Ilminster Majorettes.
This year’s Miss Taunton, the Carnival Queen, Lucy Wheeler and Carnival Princess Mya Goodman will have pride of place near the front of the Procession looking extremely regal in their gowns, cloaks and tiaras.
Feature, Tableau and Comic floats will eclipse the street lights with their dazzling displays using hundreds and hundreds of light bulbs interspersed between the wonderful walking entries – with themes ranging from The Greatest Showman to Cinderella.
Over the last three Saturdays Wellington, Ilminster and Chard have hosted the Procession with the majority of entries appearing there proudly showing off the floats and costumes they’ve spent weeks bringing together. As well as being out to entertain the crowds they are competing in a dozen different classes for coveted local trophies, and points towards the overall South Somerset Federation awards. Carnival is full of friendly rivalry so holding the cups aloft in front of the competition can be more important than the prize money
The Procession will take just over an hour to pass any one point on the mile long route.
Bringing up the rear will be the one vehicle the organisers hope not to need – a Brakedown Recovery unit kindly provided by Frost Rescue from Bridgwater.
DURING THE DAY
On Saturday morning Historic Cars and Harley Davidson Motorcycles will process through the town centre in convoy before forming up in High Street. These are always an attraction to both young and old and plenty will cast an envious or rose-tinted eye over them. As an incentive to all the car owners to keep everything gleaming and in tip-top condition, Miss Taunton, Lucy Wheeler will select ‘the most pleasing vehicle’ in her eyes to receive the annual Spiller Trophy.
Children can join in the Mask & Hat Competition being held at the Museum of Somerset from 11.00am to 2.00pm. The Deputy Mayor, Cllr Fran Smith will judge the entries and present the Mayor’s Millenium Cup to the winner.
QUALITY CARNIVAL MERCHANDISE
The Carnival Committee will be selling Official Carnival Merchandise this year during the day in High Street and during the Procession. Visibly branded Official Sellers will be out on the streets selling high quality ‘light-ups’ and toys. Committee Chairman Marilyn House said “We want to keep as much of the public’s money in the local economy. To do that we’re selling Quality Carnival Merchandise ourselves and encourage spectators to buy from the Official Sellers during the day and from the two Official Lorries in the evening. Many spectators won’t realise that other traders and pedlars come from outside the area and none of their proceeds goes to Taunton Carnival or local charities at all.”
CHARITIES
Taunton Carnival Committee puts in all the hard work organising the Procession for two main purposes – to provide a spectacle in the town’s calendar of events and to raise money for local charities.
“Our main charity this year is again Love Musgrove” said Mrs House, “Storm Brian seriously affected the street collection last year and reduced the amount we were able to donate to charity so the Committee decided to support them for a second year They’ll be with us during the day in High Street so come along and find out more about them.”
During the evening Procession there will be dozens of Official Collectors on the ground. Please empty your pockets and give them a busy and successful night. The reward for performers and event organisers alike is to see all the collecting tins full and piles of coins on the lorries. Show your appreciation by getting rid of all that loose change any old £1 coins you find down the sofa. Treasurer Roz Swinburne commented “If everyone put £1 or 50p coins into the collection we’d easily make up for last year and more! Of course we don’t mind what coins or notes come our way but we do need a lot of them please. We’re happy if it takes us all day Sunday to count it.”
ROAD CLOSURES AND TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS
Castle Street will be closed to traffic between the entrance to Tangier and Castle Street car parks as will Tangier Way down to the junction with Wood Street from 2.00pm to allow all the entries to assemble and get ready for the evening’s show. Access to Tesco and Lidl will not be affected, but Enfield car park will be closed all day.
The town centre will be closed at 6.30pm so the Procession Route can be cleared of traffic before the crowds move in to line the pavements.
Through traffic is directed away from the centre to keep it moving and to keep a clear access to Musgrove Park Hospital. The official east-west diversion is via Priory Avenue, Trenchard Way (NIDR), Staplegrove Road, Silk Mills Road and Wellington Road.
No vehicles will be able to leave Wood Street, Yarde Place, Haydon Road or Victoria Gate on to the route whilst the Procession is taking place, between 6.30pm and around 9pm. There will be an alternative route out of the Wood Street area via Cleveland Street and French Weir Recreation Ground.
SAFETY
The Carnival Committee works very closely with all the Emergency Services to make sure everything on and off the Procession route runs smoothly on Carnival night. There are Marshals all along the route to keep an eye on spectators and make sure the Procession passes safely. These are closely supported by local Police, with St John Ambulance crews from across Somerset around the route in case of accidents to participants or spectators alike. Senior staff from the Emergency Services and other Agencies come together with the organisers in a joint “Control Room” where they are ready to co-ordinate action should anything unforeseen happen. The Carnival Clubs all have safety guidelines and good practice notes to follow to keep their members safe.
THANKS
Planning the Carnival is a round the clock activity for the Committee, with much of the work behind the scenes. Carnival Secretary John Lewis said “Every year is different and brings its own challenges. We meet with the local Safety Advisory Group hosted by Taunton Deane where we discuss issues with the Emergency Services and County Highways. We’ve worked together with them all for many years to make sure everything is organised and recorded well in advance in the Event Management Plan. This gives us a safe platform for all the clubs and individuals who spend many hours to bring the spectacle to life on the night. I’d like to thank all of them and all the volunteers who are out there on Saturday evening.”
“Once again the Performing Rights Society has helped keep costs down by shown in waiving a large part of the copyright fees due for musical entertainment.”
“Our ambition is always to give to our charities everything that we collect on Saturday plus a little bit more. Last year that didn’t work for us. Inevitably costs go up every year for the background things like insurance, traffic management and health and safety. Carnival is not a cheap event to put on and the Committee organises the annual Marathon & Half Marathon and 10k road races earlier in the year to bring in the money we need. We’ve had sponsorship and support from lots of local companies over the years for many of our activities. Without them none of this would happen. What we need to cap it all now is good weather and full collecting tins this weekend. Please dig deep to help us keep the Carnival tradition alive in Taunton and support this year’s chosen charities. Remember to buy your ‘lightups’ and toyss from our Official Sellers.”
For any other information on the day’s events please visit our website www.tauntoncarnival.co.uk .If you would like to help in any way, please contact Marilyn House on 01823 289395 (email mail@marilynhouse.co.uk) or John Lewis on 01823 283892 (email jsilewis@btinternet.com)
For more info contact John Lewis, Secretary, contacts as above.
Please click here to download the 2018 Procession Order
July 2018
ENTRIES FOR THIS YEAR’S PROCESSION ON SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER ARE NOW OPEN
The South Somerset Federation of Carnivals (Wellington, Ilminster, Chard and Taunton) is using the same entry form for all four Carnivals so if you want to enter more than one you need only provide us with the information once – providing you tick the right box!
Please go to the SSFC website to enter online or download a paper version here.
Entries close on Saturday 6 October.
January 2018
CARNIVAL CHARITY HANDOUT
Taunton Carnival Committee celebrated their efforts over the last 12 months by donating £3500 to various charities and local organisations this month. The Annual Presentation evening was hosted by Somerset County Cricket Club in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion.
“We were very pleased we could give away that much as we were badly affected on Carnival Day by Storm Brian”, said Chairman Marilyn House. “Herculean efforts by the groups and individuals collecting on the night brought in £2500, a wonderful result in the circumstances. Unfortunately this was around £1500 on the previous year.” The main beneficiaries were Carnival charity Love Musgrove and the Alzheimers Society, nominated Marathon charity. Mrs House said the Committee’s aim was to support local organisations “We collect the money from local people and try to put it back into the community through local groups who help us put on the Marathon & Half Marathon, 10k and Carnival. Without their help the events simply wouldn’t take place.”
The groups receiving donations were St John Ambulance; Taunton Athletic and Running Forever Running Clubs; Scout Groups from Central, Staplegrove, Trull, West Monkton and Wilton; Blackbrook Guides, Bishops Hull Army Cadets, Wellington Majorettes, Hamilton Football Club, and Generations Carnival Club.
“We give back 50% of what collecting groups take in their tins on the night”, said Treasurer Roz Swinburne. “It gives them a boost and helps the overall total. This year the CAB, TAH and Performing Arts braved the weather.”
The Carnival Committee is always looking for people to join and help organize the events each year. Anyone interested shoud get in touch by email to info@tauntoncarnival.co.uk
2018 CARNIVAL ROYALTY
Lucy Wheeler has been crowned Miss Taunton, the Carnival Queen 2018. Lucy, a Haemotology Specialist Nurse working at Musgrove, was selected by a panel of judges at the Annual Presentation Evening this month. Runner-up was Carlie Perkins, a fulltime Homemaker and Carer.
Mya Goodman was chosen by the panel from the shortlisted final three of nine hopefuls to be this year’s Carnival Princess. Mya, aged 11 attends Taunton Academy. The runners up were Alice Jones and Grace North, both aged 9 and who go to Trull and North town Schools respectivey.
Lucy and Mya will appear at all the Committees functions during the year and represent Taunton at the South Somerset Federation Carnivals at Weilington, Chard and Ilminster.
October 2017
The search for Carnival Royalty 2018 is on!
Miss Taunton, the Carnival Queen – We are looking for entrants who are between 16 & 30 years of age and live, work or are in full time education in the Taunton Deane area. An ability to converse with people in a variety of different situations and an interest in promoting Taunton and Taunton Carnival would be an advantage. The chosen contestant will lead the Carnival Procession, represent Taunton at other Carnivals on the circuit and take part in events organised by the Committee. Prizes include £200 in cash, hair styled by Toni & Guy, a manicure by Donna Jewell, Nail Technician and a dress especially for Carnival Night. The final will be held at Somerset County Cricket Club on Friday 19 January 2018. Closing date for entries is Monday 8 January 2108
Click to download:
The Carnival Princess – You must be aged 9-13 and have been living in Taunton Deane area for at least three months. Closing date for entries is Friday 5 January 2018, with preliminary judging on Monday 15 January and the final on Friday 19 January at Somerset County Cricket Club.
Click to download:
Taunton Carnival 2017
Taunton Carnival 2017 Results
To download a list of the 2017 official results, please click here.
SATURDAY DAYTIME
Taunton Carnival will go ahead this evening as planned unless there is a significant change in wind conditions.
We know it’s going to rain but there have been many carnivals in the wet before.
We hope you’ll all be able to come out and support tonight…
And remember we’re taking those old pound coins!
Carnival Day starts in High Street at 10am with historic vehicle and Harley Davidson motorcycle displays. There’s also childrens’ rides and a tombola.
Come and buy your Quality Carnival Merchandise from our Official Stand – ‘light-ups’ and toys for all! Buy from us and keep the money local.
Take part in our Mask & Hat Competition at the Museum of Somerset. Children can make masks and hats in the Museum on Castle Green from 10.30am. All equipment provided. Gather together at 2.00pm when the Mayor will select the winning items.
SATURDAY EVENING
The Procession gets off to a thunderous start on Saturday with a cavalcade of Harly Davidson motorcycles leaving Tangier way at 7pm. Last year’s class-winning Ilmiinster Majorettes will be at the head of the Annual illuminated Procession following on.
Ahead of them will be the Official Sellers for our own merchandise. Please buy from them rather than other sellers who aren’t from around here and who do not give any of their proceeds to Carnival or to local charities.
More than 70 items will wend their way along the route from Tangier Way and Wood Street out into Bridge Street over The Bridge and up North Street, then along fore Street and East Street before heading down over East Reach to the finish at Chritchard Way.
This year our charity partner is Love Musgrove.
Download the Procession List here
Download the Carnival Route Plan here
ROAD CLOSURES AND TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS
Castle Street will be closed to traffic between the entrance to Tangier and Castle Street car parks as will Tangier Way down to the junction with Wood Street from 2.00pm to allow all the entries to assemble and get ready for the evening’s show. Access to Tesco and Lidl will not be affected, but Enfield car park will be closed all day.
The town centre will be closed at 6.30pm so the Procession Route can be cleared of traffic before the crowds move in to line the pavements.
Through traffic is directed away from the centre to keep it moving and to keep a clear access to Musgrove Park Hospital. The official east-west diversion is Obridge Viaduct, Priorswood Road, Greenway Road, Staplegrove Road, Silk Mills Road and Wellington Road.
No vehicles will be able to leave Wood Street, Yarde Place, Haydon Road or Victoria Gate on to the route whilst the Procession is taking place, between 6.30pm and around 9pm. There will be an alternative route out of the Wood Street area via Cleveland Street and French Weir Recreation Ground.
August 2017
June 2017
2017 Carnival – Entry Forms
This year’s Procession will be on Saturday 21st October.
We have moved into the electronic age with our Entry Form to save everyone printing them off, filling them in and posting them back.
The South Somerset Federation of Carnivals (Wellington, Ilminster, Chard and Taunton) is using the same entry form for all four Carnivals so if you want to enter more than one you need only provide us with the information once – providing you tick the right box!
January 2017
Miss Taunton 2017
Miss Taunton 2017
Eloise Gould is the new Miss Taunton 2017, the Carnival Queen.
SW Regional Manager for holidaycottages.co.uk , Eloise was selected from three finalists at the Committee’s Annual Charity Presentation Evening last Friday (20 January). The unsuccessful finalists were Emily Adams and Alexis Staple.
Eloise will lead the Carnival Procession in October, represent Taunton at other Carnivals on the South Somerset Federation Circuit and be involved with the Taunton Marathon & Half Marathon in April and the Taunton 10k in September.
To go with the title Eloise won £200 in cash, hair styled by Toni & Guy, a manicure by Donna Jewell, Nail Technician and a dress especially for Carnival Night, made and donated by ‘And Sew To Knit’.
The event was kindly hosted by Somerset County Cricket Club in the Atkinson Pavilion.
November 2016
Miss Taunton 2017
We have begun our search for Miss Taunton 2017, the Carnival Queen. We are looking for entrants who are between 16 & 30 years of age and live, work or are in full time education in the Taunton Deane area. An ability to converse with people in a variety of different situations and an interest in promoting Taunton and Taunton Carnival would be an advantage.
The chosen contestant will lead the Carnival Procession, represent Taunton at other Carnivals on the circuit and take part in events organised by the Committee. Prizes include £200 in cash, hair styled by Toni & Guy, a manicure by Donna Jewell, Nail Technician and a dress especially for Carnival Night, made and donated by ‘And Sew To Knit’.
The final will be held at Somerset County Cricket Ground on Friday 20 January 2017. Closing date for entries is Friday 9 January 2017
Click to download the Entry Form and Rules of Entry
October 2016
Taunton Carnival 2016
Saturday Daytime
Carnival Day starts on Castle Green and Goodland Gardens at 10am with historic vehicle and motorcycle displays, musical performances from the Tone Valley Jazz Band and Stevie Nichol Brown, children’s inflatables, face painting and other stalls.
Come and buy your Quality Carnival Merchandise from our Official Stand in Goodland Gardens – ‘light-ups’ and balloons for all! Buy from us and keep the money local.
Take part in our Animal Mask Competition. Children can make masks in the Museum of Somerset from 10.30am. All equipment provided. Gather together at 2.00pm when the Mayor will select the winning masks. Everyone then parades in to Castle Green for the presentation.
Saturday Evening
The Procession gets off to a thunderous start on Saturday with a cavalcade of Harly Davidson motorcycles leaving Tangier way at 7pm. The Bristol-based Batala Samba Band will be at the head of the Annual illuminated Procession following on.
Ahead of them will be the Official Sellers for our own merchandise. Please buy from them rather than other sellers who aren’t from around here and who do not give any of their proceeds to Carnival or to local charities.
More than 80 items will wend their way along the route from Tangier Way and Wood Street out into Bridge Street over The Bridge and up North Street, then along fore Street and East Street before heading down over East Reach to the finish at Chritchard Way.
Our main charity is Stand Against Violence who are celebrating their 10th year.
Download the Carnival Route Plan here
Download the Procession List here
ROAD CLOSURES AND TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS
Castle Street will be closed to traffic between the entrance to Tangier and Castle Street car parks as will Tangier Way down to the junction with Wood Street from 2.00pm to allow all the entries to assemble and get ready for the evening’s show. Access to Tesco and Lidl will not be affected, but Enfield car park will be closed all day.
The town centre will be closed at 6.30pm so the Procession Route can be cleared of traffic before the crowds move in to line the pavements.
Through traffic is directed away from the centre to keep it moving and to keep a clear access to Musgrove Park Hospital. Two diversions keep traffic moving around the outside – from the east along Bridgwater Road, Ilminster Road and Chestnut Drive; and from the west using Park Street, The Crescent, Mary Street, South Road and Chestnut Drive or Silk Mills Road, Greenway Road and Priorswood Road.
No vehicles will be able to leave Wood Street, Yarde Place, Haydon Road or Victoria Gate on to the route whilst the Procession is taking place, between 6.30pm and around 9pm. There will be an alternative route out of the Wood Street area via Cleveland Street and French Weir Recreation Ground.
September 2016
Taunton Carnival Princess 2016
After a nail-biting evening for all the young contestants Elsa Whitworth was chosen to be the 2016 Taunton carnival Princess.
August 2016
Taunton Carnival 2016
Entry forms for this year’s Procession are now available to download.
For more details see our Taunton Carnival Procession page
July 2016
Carnival Princess Competition 2016
We have started the search for this year’s Carnival Princess.
For more details see our Taunton Carnival Princess page
January 2016
Charity Presentation
We have presented just over £9000 to our four charities and other local organisations! This is the sum raised from our main events, the Carnival, the Marathon & Half Marathon and the 10k.
The main beneficiaries from the Carnival are Taunton Association for the Homeless, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Hope for Tomorrow. Mind are the nominated charity from the Marathon. They received the money at our Presentation Evening in January in front of many of our helpers and supporters.
Our Chairman, Marilyn House, reported on another successful year and thanked all those who had helped us in any way, financially, in kind or just by ‘being there’.
October 2015
Taunton Carnival, Saturday 17th
Thank you to everyone for making the Carnival night such a success. Download a full set of results here.
The Taunton Carnival takes to the streets this weekend. Historic Vehicles, Harley Davidsons, live music, children’s rides on Castle Green during the day. The Procession starts from Tangier Way at 7pm and travels up through the town centre to the finish at the bottom of East Reach.
For more details and a Procession list see our Taunton Carnival 2015 page
September 2015
Taunton Carnival Princess 2015
Levy Miller was chosen as this years Taunton Carnival Princess at Mr Miles Tea Room in Taunton on Monday 14th September.
Miss Taunton 2015, The Carnival Queen
Carley Chapman was crowned Carnival Queen at the competition final at Miles at The Riverside
July 2015
May 2015
Miss Taunton 2015, The Carnival Queen
The search is on for Miss Taunton 2015, The Carnival Queen.
For more details please visit our Miss Taunton 2015 page
April 2015
New Taunton Carnival Website Launched