Carnival Comes To Town - Friday 5th November
October 2010
With just under one week to Bridgwater’s biggest night of the year, the final countdown has begun to Bridgwater Carnival 2010.
For the carnival clubs who are working around the clock to finish their spectacular entries, to the carnival organisers who are finalising the arrangements for the glittering event, the preparations are nearing completion.
In this the 405th anniversary of The Gunpowder Plot, everyone involved with Bridgwater Carnival is hoping that the procession on Friday 5 November 2010 will be the best one yet.
On carnival day itself, the build up to the procession starts in the town centre at 10:30am, and early visitors will be entertained by a variety of acts. Confirmed artists already include: ACTS, Newtown Marching Band, Blackdown Samba Band, samba bands from local schools, live music and Total Star FM road show to name just a few.
The main carnival procession starts at 7pm and will be led by the carnival committee’s Guy Fawkes cart, which has been sponsored by BAM Construction Ltd. 124 entries will follow and enthral the tens of thousands of people expected to line the procession route. The entertainment will be brought to a fitting finale when over 150 squibbers will line the town’s High Street immediately after the procession, for the traditional squibbing display.
There will also be a military theme to the 2010 activities after Bridgwater Carnival formed a partnership with national charity, Help for Heroes. The charity provides support and assistance to armed forces personnel who have been injured during combat, and on carnival night a 150 seat grandstand has been allocated to the popular charity so injured service men and women and their families can watch the carnival in relative comfort. Help For Heroes will also benefit from the carnival’s street collection activities and a VIP reception is being planned for the Help For Heroes group prior to the procession, and this will be hosted by members of the carnival committee.
Organisers are also hoping to beat the overall street collection record of £30,701 set in 2006 and reverse the downward trend of collection totals over the last three years. The money collected on the night will go towards Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival – charity no.1120551, and as well as Help for Heroes, the following charities will benefit: - Bridgwater Rotary Club, British Red Cross (Bridgwater Branch), Bridgwater Lions International, SNAP, Break 4 Kids (YHA), Freewheelers EVS, Ron Peberdy Cyberknife Trust, Rhode Lane Wanderers, Action Duchenne and Bridgwater and District Fibromyalgia Support Group.
Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee is still seeking volunteers to act as marshals on carnival night. If you are interested in helping, please contact Gary Stephens on 07711 446930.
An increased souvenir range for the popular event is available for 2010 and includes flags, mugs, fridge magnets, hats, programmes, calendars, DVDs, teddy bears, badges and books. These can be purchased from our online shop or at the Bridgwater Carnival Centre in the High Street, Bridgwater.
