BRIDGWATER Guy Fawkes Carnival has elected a new president.

Mike Crocker, took over the presidential chains at the committee’s recent annual general meeting, and becomes the 25th known president in the popular carnival’s long and esteemed history.

Mike is from a carnival loving family and has plenty of carnival experience. His first real memory of Bridgwater Carnival was as a young boy and being taken by his uncles to see an entry being constructed for the annual procession back in the 1950s.

In 1961 he took part in the carnival as a walking entry with some friends, and he has been involved ever since. After spending time in British Flag Carnival Club and Wilfs Carnival Club, Mike joined the carnival committee in 1980.

Here he has held a variety of positions including vice chairman, assistant chief marshal, assistant chief steward and vice president, and he became the event’s grandstand coordinator in 2005 – a position he still holds to this day. In 2011 he was elected as a life member of the committee.

Immediately after taking on the prestigious role, Mike said: “I feel extremely proud to have been elected as president of Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee, and I look forward to working with the committee and the clubs to ensure the continued success of our wonderful carnival tradition.”

Mike gave his thanks to his predecessor Malcolm Cattle for his work.