BRIDGWATER Carnival is destined to be bigger and better than ever this year, after organisers and representatives of the local business community met to discuss more opportunities of working together.

Carnival committee members invited traders to a unique launch event at Bar 27 to spell out how they can get involved in Bridgwater’s main event in the hope of securing more funding.

Following the move to a Saturday, Carnival has expanded with more events leading up to the procession such as the Fairfield fireworks display and all-day street entertainment.

But these have resulted in increased running costs. Speaking to the Mercury at the event, Dave Stokes, spokesman for the Carnival committee, said: “We’re always trying to take Carnival forward and look at new ways to improve it but that means we’re always looking for new ways to increase the funding.

“Tonight’s gone really, really well. “We’re really happy with the number of people who have turned up.

“We have 70 people here representing 40 businesses so hopefully we’ve let them know just how important Carnival is to Bridgwater and how it can benefit them and the town as a whole.

“This is something a bit different and we’ll probably look to do more things to try to engage businesses in the future.”

 

Bridgwater Mercury:

DAVE Stokes adressing the gathering of local businesses and traders.

 

Laura Nicholson from British Flag explained the importance of funding the carnival.

She said: “We need £20,000 for the club each year and the committee help us with that year after year.

“We’re starting work down at the shed now and we’re only in April.

“It’s like being part of a family – it’s a real community, it’s something unique and we need to hold onto it.” Rita Jones, chair of the Carnival committee, said:

“It went extremely well.

“It’s vital that we look at new and different ways to get money into Carnival because it’s getting more and more expensive to run.

“The more it costs us the less money we can donate to charity.

“We need to make people aware that it’s not a free show and if everyone donates something on the night then it will give us a massive boost.”

Chris Walder, manager of the EDF visitor centre in Angel Place said: “It’s given me a lot to think
about.
“Being here tonight is making me think we could maybe get more out of Carnival.

“Our centre isn’t open all weekend so perhaps opening on the Sunday to get more people in who have come for the procession is something we’ll look at.

“We’re focusing on getting kids into science and engineering, that’s what we’re about, so we’ll definitely be looking at how we can get more involved.”

Nick Hale of Wilkie May and Tuckwood Estate Agents said: “I love Carnival.
“I’ve worked in Bridgwater for 30 years and it’s nice to come along from a business point of view to see how we can get involved it’s been very interesting.”

Emily Evans, of Emily Evans Lettings, said: “I grew up in Bridgwater and have loved Carnival all
my life.

“It’s amazing to hear how it started and get the history behind it.”


This year’s Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival is on Saturday, November 7.