CARNIVAL: There is no doubt about it – Carnival lives on in Chard!

THE new Chard Carnival Committee can take a well-earned rest after its incredible efforts helped to put on an amazing show at the weekend.

The committee – virtually all new to the job this year – was probably somewhat surprised at how well everything went on Saturday (October 8, 2016) with the annual Children’s Carnival and the main Carnival both taking place on the same day.

There had been fears following last year’s Carnival that its future might be in the balance because many of the then committee had – for various reasons – decided to step down.

But a rallying call was made and fresh faces came forward to take over and they have done a great job.

PHOTO - TOP: Collecting for Carnival were members of the Tatworth Amateur Pantomime Society.

PHOTO - RIGHT: One Plus One CC with Under Construction.

The weather stayed dry and it encouraged large crowds to come out to see both parades which helped to bathe the town centre in colour, light and music.

A delighted committee chairman Jason Baker said: “I think both the Children’s Carnival and the main procession were a huge success.

“Most of the committee was new this year, but have put in a huge amount of work and it is fantastic that we were able to put on a brilliant show.

“The parade went smoothly and on time and I hope that everyone enjoyed the day.”

Although Carnival itself is always the winner on such occasions, the committee does have to give out various prizes and cups to clubs in the assortment of classes and categories.

Harlequin CC, of Ilminster, lived up to the form book by scooping another clutch of trophies home with its Underground Express cart.

It won the feature class and then a further seven cups for most colourful, best tractor/lorry, best costumes, best lighting, best make-up, best routine and most original entry.

PHOTO - RIGHT: A member of Harlequin CC and Underground Express.

It was a relatively quiet night for Gemini CC on the silverware front winning the tableau class and picking up the cup for best music. But take nothing away from the club for its Phantom tableau which held the crowds lining the streets spellbound in its motionless splendour.

Friends CC had a fantastic night with its Socca Samba walking entry. They won the walking non-federation class, but also took home four cups for Mayor’s Choice, Spirit of Carnival, best costume on foot and best non-federation entry.

There were plenty of local Chard entries in the Carnival with Eclipse CC still kicking away at the heels of Harlequin in its attempts to vie for the best feature club.

Eclipse’s Loggers Yard came second in the future class, but won the cup for best float from Chard.

The Chard club is also looking to the future and Eclipse Juniors won the youth class with You Arr a Pirate and the cup for best local youth float.

Osscar Collins won the cup for best youth walking entry from Chard with Dragon Master, while Poppe CC won the Village Cup for Sumink Kinda Scooby Doo.

Chard Community Hospital won the Charity Cup for its walking entry entitled Nursing Through the Ages.

One Plus One CC won the comic class with Under Construction, while Zem CC came third in the open class with Step in Time behind winner Mike Daniels with Sister Michael and runners-up Generations CC with Texas.

The Chard-based Kelly Leigh School of Dance won the groups class with Step in Time.

PHOTO - RIGHT: A member of Friends CC and Socca Samba.

The Tatworth Amateur Pantomime Society won the award for best dressed group of collectors, while Angie Davies, of TAPS, was named best dressed single collector.

The Star Wars re-enactment group, Dorset Troopers, won the cup for the public choice’s best entry,

Xtreme CC, of Ilminster, won the cup for best entry on foot with its very colourful and lively Poison walking entry.

Lucy Thomas took the single walking adult class with Kingdom ahead of second-placed Judy Williams and third Spirit CC.

Stilt-walking Lilly Cumming won the single walking juvenile class with Age of the Dragon with Lorna Stephenson second with Flower Fusion and Osscar Collins third with Dragon Master.

Carnival veterans Dee Gees won the pairs category with Well Something is Better than Nothing with A&A CC second with Rex.

Lyme Regis Majorettes won the majorettes class ahead of jubilant Ilminster Majorettes and third-placed Karisma Majorettes.

Chard Carnival Results 2016: Feature – 1 Harlequin CC, Underground Express; 2 Eclipse CC, Loggers Yard; 3 Unicorn CC, Living History.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Members of Zem CC and Step in Time.

Tableau – 1 Gemini CC, Phantom.

Comic – 1 One Plus One CC, Under Construction; 2 Harbourside CC, Welcome to My House.

Youth – 1 Eclipse Juniors, You Arr a Pirate.

Open – 1 Mike Daniels, Sister Michael; 2 Generations CC, Texas; 3 Zem CC, Step in Time.

Single Walking Adult – 1 Lucy Thomas, Kingdom; 2 Judy Williams, Arctic Queen; 3 Spirit CC, Deco.

Single Walking Juvenile – 1 Lilly Cumming, Age of the Dragon; 2 Lorna Stephenson, Flower Fusion; 3 Osscar Collins, Dragon Master.

Pair – 1 Dee Gees, Well Something is Better Than None; 2 A&A CC, Rex.

Groups Walking – 1 Kelly Leigh, Step in Time; 2 Dorset Troopers, Dorset Troopers; 3 Scarlet CC, The 4 Elements.

Groups Wheeled – 1 Xtreme, Poison; 2 Poppe CC, Sumink Kinda Scooby Doo.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Members of Gemini CC and Phantom.

Trade – 1 The Old Moo Shed; 2 Boss Hoggs; 3 Grinters.

Walking Non-Federation - 1 Friends CC, Socca Samba.

Majorettes – 1 Lyme Regis Majorettes; 2 Ilminster Majorettes; 3 Karisma Majorettes.

Best Entry Public Choice, Chard & Ilminster News Cup – Dorset Troopers.

Best Float from Chard, C. H. Baulch Cup – Eclipse CC, Loggers Yard.

Mervyn Ball Crystal Vase, Mayor’s Choice – Friends CC, Socca Samba.

Jan Lucas Memorial Trophy, Best Youth Walking Entry from Chard – Osscar Collins, Dragon Master.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Members of Eclipse CC and Loggers Yard.

Spirit of Carnival Trophy – Friends CC, Socca Samba.

Reg Weavor Cup, Best Costume on Foot – Friends CC, Socca Samba.

Robert Oliver Cup, Most Colourful – Harlequin CC, Underground Express.

Lordleaze Cup, Best Tractor/Lorry – Harlequin CC, Underground Express.

Chard Carnival Cup, Best Music – Gemini CC, Phantom.

Bert Phippen Trophy, Best Costumes on Float – Harlequin CC, Underground Express.

Gardina Trophy, Best Lighting on Float – Harlequin CC, Underground Express.

Sue Middleton Shield, Best Make-Up – Harlequin CC, Underground Express.

Chard Carnival Cup, Best Pose or Routine on Float – Harlequin CC, Underground Express.

Domino – Chard Garden Centre Cup, Best Non-Federation Entry – Friends CC, Socca Samba.

Oscar Mayor Cup, Best Entry on Foot – Xtreme CC, Poison.

Cup in Memory of Wendy Cullow, Most Original Entry – Harlequin CC, Underground Express.

Clarence Harvey Cup, Best Youth Float from Chard – Eclipse Juniors CC, You Arr a Pirate.

Village Cup – Poppe CC, Sumink Kinda Scooby.

Charity Cup – Chard Community Hospital, Nursing Through the Ages.

Best Dressed Single Collector – Angie Davies.

Best Dressed Group of Collectors – Tatworth Amateur Pantomime Society.

Photo Galleries from Chard Carnival can be found here:

Eclipse CC had great fun at their home Carnival on Saturday at Chard – PHOTO GALLERY: http://www.chardpress.co.uk/blog/2016/10/10/eclipse-cc-at-chard-carnival-october-8-2016/ .

Harlequin CC once again served up a big treat for Carnival fans at Saturday’s parade in Chard – PHOTO GALLERY: http://www.chardpress.co.uk/blog/2016/10/10/harlequin-cc-at-chard-carnival-october-8-2016/ .

Gemini CC never fail to amaze the crowds with their tableau entries – PHOTO GALLERY: http://www.chardpress.co.uk/blog/2016/10/10/gemini-cc-at-chard-carnival-october-8-2016/ .

Chard Carnival 2016 – Photo Gallery Part 1: http://www.chardpress.co.uk/blog/2016/10/10/chard-carnival-part-1-october-8-2016/ .

Chard Carnival 2016 – Photo Gallery Part 2: http://www.chardpress.co.uk/blog/2016/10/10/chard-carnival-part-2-october-8-2016/ .

Chard Carnival 2016 – Photo Gallery Part 3: http://www.chardpress.co.uk/blog/2016/10/10/chard-carnival-part-3-october-8-2016/ .

Chard Carnival 2016 – Photo Gallery Part 4: http://www.chardpress.co.uk/blog/2016/10/10/chard-carnival-part-4-october-8-2016/ .