CARNIVAL: Dig deep for charity at Chard Carnival

THE Carnival season is here and final preparations are being made ahead of Chard Carnival which will take to the town centre streets during a day of fun tomorrow (Saturday, October 8, 2016).

Things are a little different this year as the Chard Children’s Carnival will be on the same day as the main procession.

The Children’s Carnival takes place at midday starting at Manor Court Primary School. The route will be down Mill Lane to Boden Street, up Fore Street past the Guildhall, along Holyrood Street and then back to Manor Court.

This normally takes less than 45 minutes and roads will be closed at this time using a “rolling road block.”

A team of Harley Davidson motorcyclists will kick the main parade off between 7.15pm and 7.30pm on Saturday and it will then be followed shortly afterwards with the rest of the colorful cavalcade.

PHOTO - TOP: Chard Carnival Princess, Leah Smith, at last weekend's Ilminster Carnival.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Eric Peadon at last weekend's Ilminster Carnival on board the One Plus One comic cart Under Construction.

Thousands of pounds have already been raised to put on the spectacle. The Grand Carnival Procession starts at Numatic in Tapstone Road before it heads up East Street, Convent Link, Old Town, Duck Lane, Crowshute Link, High Street, Fore Street, down East Street and finishes back at Tapstone Road.

Chard Carnival Committee chairman Jason Baker said there was all the last-minute stuff to sort out, but he was looking forward to a fantastic Carnival and obviously keeping his fingers-crossed for dry weather.

“If you are able to help with marshaling or could help collecting on the night please get in contact as we need as much help as possible,” said Jason.

“I hope people will dig deep into their pockets and help donate their spare change to swell the overall collection.

“All money raised goes back into Carnival funds and is also donated to local groups and organisations.

“Any group or organisation wishing to be considered for a donation should write to me via my email baker.jason@live.co.uk .

“Recipients from last year’s Carnival collection will be considered again, but only after new applicants.”

The Carnival started in 1967 when representatives from the League of Friends of Chard Hospital and Chard Youth Centre met to discuss ways in which to raise money for the respective groups.

Gerald Quick, Mervyn Ball, Tom Miller and Wendy Clulow decided that the best option would be to revive Chard Carnival, after a break of 13 years, as a way of raising money for the youth centre and the hospital.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Chard-based Eclipse CC will be looking to put on a great show at their home Carnival with their feature cart Loggers Yard.

The Carnival is now in its 49th year and has raised over £100,000 for local charities and organisations including Chard Christmas Lights, Children’s Hospice South West, Chard Hospital, Chard Rugby Club, Brownies, Scouts and all the local schools.

Records and pictures dating back to the early 1900s show Carnivals that took place in Chard to raise money for the hospital. There is a carnival display of costumes, merchandise and advertising upstairs in Chard Museum.

In the early 1970s Chard, Ilminster, Wellington and Taunton formed the South Somerset Federation of Carnivals, with Yeovil joining at a later date. This provided a competition for the best entries from the five towns taking part. Yeovil Carnival has since ceased to exist, but the Federation of four towns remains.

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