CARNIVAL: Everyone's a winner at Ilminster Carnival

ILMINSTER Carnival went from the frozen wastes of Captain Scott of Antarctica to the all-singing and all-dancing spectacular of Phileas Fogg of London and his World Tour.

The Carnival was a great success – despite the unfortunate last minute withdrawal of Chard’s Eclipse CC because of technical issues – and thousands of people lined the streets of Ilminster on a dry and warm night.

Once again it was the big Ilminster duo of Harlequin CC and Gemini CC who stole the show and the plaudits with their fantastic entries.

Harlequin brought up the rear of the procession and it could be said that Ilminster Carnival Committee had saved the best until last.

The club’s Fogg’s World Tour cart is something to be seen and will surely have a good chance of winning the prestigious the title of Somerset Carnival champions when they lock horns with clubs from Bridgwater – the Premier League of Carnival.

The entry is based on Phileas Fogg and Around the World in Eighty Days with the theme tune of I’m a Wanderer.

As the cart ventured down East Street with the front trio of Carnivalites slowly spinning on their flying machine – wow!

PHOTO - TOP: Members of Harlequin CC on board Fogg's World Tour.

PHOTO - RIGHT: A member of Gemini CC and its tableau entry Scott's Terra Nova.

Harlequin scooped a number of awards including best feature, best costume on float, best music on local float, best build-up, best local float and the Spirit of Carnival award.

Ilminster’s other big club, Gemini CC, also did not disappoint with its entry Scott’s Terra Nova and won best tableau and best tableau pose.

Gemini was at the front of the procession and transfixed the crowds with its adaption of Captain Scott’s ill-fated Race for the South Pole back in 1912 when he and his team perished on their return from the Pole having discovered that the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen had got there before them.

Gemini, just like Harlequin, will be vying for overall South Somerset Carnival Federation honours, while they will also be looking to do well on the main Guy Fawkes Carnival circuit including the “big one” of Bridgwater Carnival.

But Ilminster Carnival was not just about Harlequin and Gemini – there were a lot of other clubs, masqueraders and majorettes to entertain the crowds.

Other winners at Ilminster included Nunsford Nutters CC, South Brent CC, Zem CC, A&A CC, Lily Cumming, Dave and Lisa Arney, Cousins CC, Dee Gees, Friends CC, Lyme Regis Majorettes, One Plus One CC and Xtreme CC.

But possibly the biggest cheer of the night went to the recently-formed Ilminster Majorettes – who were making their first-ever appearance at Ilminster Carnival.

It was a proud moment for the group and an even prouder moment for all the parents and family members who looked on as their children paraded as majorettes.

Now the Carnival bandwagon is all set to move on to Chard on Saturday (October 10, 2015).

Gallery of some photos from Harlequin CC and Fogg’s World Tour at Ilminster Carnival on October 3, 2015: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2015/10/07/harlequin-cc-at-ilminster-carnival-2015-october-3-2015/ .

Gallery of some photos from Gemini CC and Scott’s Terra Nova at Ilminster Carnival on October 3, 2015: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2015/10/07/gemini-cc-at-ilminster-carnival-2015-october-3-2015/ .

Gallery of some other photos from Ilminster Carnival on October 3, 2015 – Part 1: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2015/10/07/ilminster-carnival-2015-pt-1-october-3-2015/ .

Gallery of some other photos from Ilminster Carnival on October 3, 2015 – Part 2:  http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2015/10/07/ilminster-carnival-2015-pt-2-october-3-2015/ .

PHOTO - ABOVE LEFT: A member of One Plus One CC and Medical Misfits.

PHOTO - ABOVE RIGHT: All smiles with the Kelly Leigh School of Dance.

Tags:
Carnival.