THE annual carnival concerts start next week and here Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival president Rita Jones sets the scene.

“I would like to extend to you a very warm welcome to the 2014 Bridgwater Carnival Concerts.

“These concerts have been a regular feature in the town since 1883, and where these current times unfortunately have led to some community events falling by the wayside, I am so proud to say our carnival concerts continue to defy all of the odds, and go from strength to strength.

“I absolutely love carnival time in Bridgwater. I can’t describe the feeling I get when I walk through the town centre on a carnival concert night.

“Where else in the world would you see people staging horse races through the streets or a cavalcade of cyclists dressed in fancy dress moving from pub to pub? There is no doubt, carnival concert nights in Bridgwater are very special. I know this unique atmosphere could not be created anywhere else around the globe, and I am sure many towns would love to bottle up our carnival spirit and sprinkle it over their streets.

“Year after year I think the show and performances from all of the acts cannot get any better, but year after year I am proved so very wrong. This is testament to the passion, dedication, determination and enjoyment of all of the 600 plus performers you will see at the concerts.

“As well as the performers, it goes without saying there are a huge team of people behind the scenes who have all played a major part in making the shows happen. There are too many to mention, but they know who they are.

“Also, I would like to mention our concert sponsors, Refesco Gerber, the Arts Council of England, Somerset News and Media, Somerset Car Sales and Anderson and Wall for their generous continued support. We really value and appreciate their generosity and friendship.

“And finally, I would like to thank our audiences for attending the shows and for buying the souvenir programmes. I hope you enjoy what you see, and continue to come back for many more years to come. Now, let’s open the curtain and let the show begin …”

Tickets are available online at www.bridgwatercarnival.org.uk or from the carnival centre, High Street, Bridgwater, and cost £8.50 (except rows J, M, P, Y & Z which will be £9.50) for the opening performance on Monday 29 September, and £11 (except for rows J, M, P, Y & Z which will be priced at £12) for all other performances.