This Year's Carnival Needs Your Help!

After last year’s successful re-launch of the Wincanton Carnival the 2016 event is fast approaching; only seven weeks away. Preparations are nearly complete. It’s promising to be another great event, and it's all down to the hard work and enthusiasm of a small dedicated band of committee members. They deserve a huge pat on the back.

On Carnival night the amazing floats and walking entries are a sight to behold. You can’t help but marvel at the dedication, work and finance that goes into each entry on an annual basis to bring this spectacle to the community.

But none of it would be possible without all the unseen planning, physical effort and fundraising that has to happen before the event. This year, despite some ill-informed rumours, the carnival is most definitely on! The current committee members have worked their socks off to make it happen, and happen it will.

In addition to fundraising there's still more work to be done on the run up to the carnival, and the committee is eager to recruit more volunteers to cover the following areas.

Judges
On carnival night all the entrants have to be judged. This requires the services of 20 people to judge each carnival entry, out of a maximum score out of 20. Judges will be spread along the carnival route, initially gathering at the Memorial Hall by 6.00pm.

Judging Admin
An administrator is also needed to collate the judges scores as they come in.

Marshals
40-50 volunteers are needed to help marshal the event. They will be responsible for ensuring that the carnival route is secure and safe for both carnival entrants and spectators alike. On carnival day marshals will meet at Wincanton Fire Station at 5.30pm to be briefed, collect their high viz jackets and food vouchers. They will be on duty from 6.45pm when road closures come into effect, manning the main carnival route and all side roads.

Collectors
Thirty volunteer collectors are needed to receive donations from carnival spectators along the length of the carnival route. The collections on the night will be split 50/50 between event costs and local charities. Collectors should meet at the Memorial Hall at 6.45pm. If any local charity or organisation provides at least one street collector for the event it will be eligible to apply for a share of the collected proceeds.

The 2015 carnival raised £850 for local causes with donations given to Wincanton Over 70's, Brue Rotary, WADS, Carrington House, BL Poppy, Friends of Verrington, Catbus, Nordcat, Fire Cadets, and The Growing Space.

The committee's overall goal is to recruit volunteers, not just for the 2016 carnival, but to ensure that the Wincanton Carnival becomes an annual event for the foreseeable future.

For more information about any of the above positions please contact Ann Emery - or Carol Whitwell - .

Comments

Login to comment!