Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival – Saturday 5 November, The Countdown has Started

With just one week until the carnival returns to town on Saturday 5 November, the final countdown has
begun to Bridgwater Carnival 2022.
For the carnival clubs who are working on their spectacular entries around the clock, to the carnival
organisers who are finalising the arrangements for Bridgwater’s biggest night of the year, preparations are
in full swing.
Bridgwater Carnival’s origins lie in the failed exploits of Guy Fawkes, and in this, the 417 th  anniversary of
these Gunpowder Plot celebrations, Bridgwater Carnival 2022 is set to illuminate the town’s streets for the
first time since 2019 and the pandemic. This year’s carnival celebrations are testament to the town’s
dedicated carnivalites and the invaluable support received from Arts Council England, the event’s main
sponsor EDF’s Hinkley Point C, and many other local businesses and organisations.
On carnival day itself, the build up to the grand procession starts in the town centre at 10:30am, and
carnival revellers will scarcely have time to pause for breath. There is just so much happening in the town
centre during the daytime with fun planned for the whole family. There is just so much happening in the
town with fun planned for the whole family. Early visitors will be entertained by a variety of acts, including
Hamp Academy Dancers, Fox King Dance Academy, Felicity Footloose, Falun Dafu Waist Drummers,
Thingamabob, Exmouth Shanty Men, Bridgwater Sea Cadets, Bournemouth Carnival Band, Samba Doc,
Magnolia Jazz Band, Ashley Ross Quinn, Jordan Hill, Teresa de Roberto, The ABBA Girls, Two Tone,
Somerset Songbirds, Wells City Band, Bridgwater Rock Choir, ACTS, Lucy Lost-it, Stagecoach, Krazy
Kev & Dinky, Higher Beings, and other street entertainers, to name just a few.
The carnival procession will start at 6pm, and will consist of nearly 100 entries. Over 45 illuminated
carnival carts, including the royal themed cart ‘Jubilation’ which took part in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Pageant in June, and many other walking entries will enthral the tens of thousands of people who are
expected to line the route.
Official charity collectors will be on the streets on carnival day and night, and organisers are hoping to
beat 2019’s collection total of £21,132. As well as the official Bridgwater Carnival charity, the authorised
collectors, who will be identifiable through unique identity badges, will be raising monies for 18 other local
charities and organisations. This year there are four ways in which spectators can donate:-
o CASH – Look for the official collection buckets and collecting carts.
o TEXT – Text BGFC to 70085 to donate £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10.
o TAP – Look out for the official team of collectors carrying tap-and-donate machines.
Spectators can tap their phone or card to make a fixed donation of £3, and can donate with confidence to the easily identified authorised collectors who will be wearing unique identity cards.
o WEBSITE – Visit Bridgwater Carnival’s official website – www.bridgwatercarnival.org.uk.
and make a donation by clicking the DONATE button.
The entertainment will be brought to a fitting finale when approximately 200 squibbers line the town’s High Street immediately after the procession for the traditional squibbing display.
All of the main roads leading into the town will start closing from 4pm.
Dave Stokes, Publicity Director of Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, said: “Saturday 5 November is the
night the carnival comes to town, and we couldn’t be more excited. This is a night when everyone can
forget all of their troubles for a few hours, marvel at the incredible sights, and get carried away by the
infectious atmosphere.
“I am sure everyone will have a great night at the carnival in Bridgwater, the home of carnival.
Parking
Once again organisers of Bridgwater Carnival have teamed up with The Buses of Somerset to provide a
park and ride service for spectators attending this year’s carnival. This year there are two park and ride
services:
 Junction 24, M5, Market Way, North Petherton. TA6 6DF (blue) – opens at 2pm, and drop off/pick
up at Taunton Road (outgoing) just past the garage. Hours Of Operation: 2pm to 6pm, and 9pm to
11:30pm.
 Hinkley Point C, Bristol Road, Dunball, TA6 4TB. (yellow)  – opens at 2pm, and drop off/pick up at
East Quay/Watsons Lane. Hours of operation: 2pm to 6pm, and 9pm to 11:30pm.
Charges will be £12 per car (£20 for camper vans and mini buses), and this will include the return bus trip
for all the vehicles passengers.
Official car parks close to the procession route will be clearly signposted, and are located at the following
locations: St Matthew’s Field, Morrisons Supermarket, ASDA Supermarket, Bridgwater Hospital, Wickes,
Morganians Rugby Club, B&M Store, Polden Bower School, and West Quay Car Park. These car parks
will be staffed by representatives from charities and community organisations authorised by Bridgwater
Guy Fawkes, and parking will cost £6 per vehicle. All official carnival car parks close at midnight.
Live Stream
For those who are unable to make it into Bridgwater on the big night, the carnival is also being streamed
live. This is thanks to the technical expertise of Somerset Web Services, Maniac Films, QSS IT and
Timeless Images. The live stream will officially begin at 6pm and will feature the carnival procession and
squibbing display. For those who would like to make use of the streaming service, all that is needed is
internet access, and in return viewers are asked to consider making an optional donation to the
Bridgwater Carnival charity. To find out more about the live stream service and to watch it, please
visit https://live.bridgwatercarnival.org.uk/.
For all of the latest Bridgwater Carnival news, visit www.bridgwatercarnival.org.uk or the event’s social
media channels – Facebook (@BridgwaterGuyFawkesCarnival), Twitter (@BCarnival), and Instagram
(@bridgwatercarnival).