CARNIVAL president Pete Bastin offers a warm welcome to Carnival-goers with his message this year: ‘It gives me enormous pleasure in welcoming you to Bridgwater’s biggest night of the year, our annual carnival celebrations.

After the appalling rain we experienced at last year’s event, I really do believe we are due a dry Carnival night and I hope and pray the weather is kind to us during this year’s activities.

What with raised insurance premiums, the introduction of more red tape, dwindling street collections and fundraising becoming increasingly difficult, 2011 has not been an easy year for the clubs or the committee involved with this year’s event.

However, all of these troubles will be forgotten for one night as they proudly and happily bring to you the best and largest illuminated Carnival procession in the world.

Before the procession starts on Friday, we have many activities to keep you entertained during the afternoon in the town centre, including a children’s parade through the town by over 130 children from local schools.

This is the first time we have organised such an event, and it would be great if you could show your support and appreciation to these young budding Carnivalites of the future.

Talking about the future, we are absolutely committed to ensuring our unique Carnival tradition lasts for many more generations to come.

In all walks of life, to secure long term survival, it is sometimes necessary to change and our carnival is no different.

So in 2012 and after many years of debate and discussion we will be holding our carnival on a Saturday.

We truly believe this will open up more opportunities for us and encourage wider participation by the local community.

Everybody involved with organising and taking part in Bridgwater Carnival gives their time freely on a voluntary basis, and to these people I would like to say a heartfelt thank you.

Please show your appreciation for their efforts by applauding all of the entries as they go past, and by contributing very generously to our street collection.

We will have over 350 collectors out on the streets tonight and at least six collection carts in the procession, and it would be nice to think that everybody watching will donate at least £1.

The monies raised will be shared between the official Bridgwater Carnival charity and other local charities.

I would also like to thank you for attending the big show. Without the spectators our carnival would not be as successful as it is, and if you enjoy what you see, please tell others.

You will be amazed and enthralled by the spectacle, and I do hope to see you back here next year on Saturday, November 3, 2012.

In my mind Bridgwater Carnival proves time and time again it is the home of carnival. It is something I am rightfully very proud of, and long may this continue.

I sincerely hope you have a great time at Bridgwater Carnival 2011.’