At our Annual Presentation Evening this month we distributed donations totalling just under £6000. This was the amount generated from the Marathon & Half Marathon in April, 10k in September and the Carnival itself in October. The Deputy Mayor, Cllr Fran Smith, and Carnival Chairman Marilyn House presented £2000 to Love Musgrove and £1000 to St Margaret’s Hospice as the principal beneficiaries along with donations to the Scouts, Guides and Cadet groups that had helped put on the events or collect money at the Carnival.

In her annual review Marilyn thanked Ashfords Solicitors, Nuffield Health and Bridgwater & Taunton College for their continued sponsorship and support for the Marathon and Half Marathon, Deane DLO and Better for the 10k and all the businesses and groups that support Carnival. The increased street collection on Carnival night showed just how much effect the weather has on events being nearly £2000 up on the previous year’s disaster caused by Storm Brian.

“We’ve always had terrific support from many groups and individuals on event days. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them and look forward to working with them again this year”, said Marilyn. “However, we need more people to help with planning the events and pulling everything together. There’s a wide ranging set of things that need doing and there are only a small number of us on the Committee. We’d be very happy to talk to anyone who thinks it’s important for the town to have these events and believes they can help us. Please just contact us through our Facebook page or email us at info@tauntoncarnival.co.uk.”