
Covid-19 has had a devastating consequences on everyday life and Bridgwater’s carnival clubs have experienced the effects of the pandemic through the loss of fund raising opportunities to raise the income needed just to meet their everyday costs.
The cost of insurances, rents, buildings and equipment maintenance and utilities have continued throughout the pandemic and clubs have had to dig into meagre reserves or rely on the generosity of their members to see them through this difficult period.
Therefore a grant made to Bridgwater Carnival from the government’s Cultural Recovery Fund came along at just the right time and this is now helping the organising committee, and its 16 affiliated carnival clubs based in the borough, to recoup some of their expenses and prepare for the time when carnival normality returns.
Cheques to the clubs involved, amounting to £28,500, were presented to the Bridgwater Gangs & Features by Mike Crocker, President of Bridgwater Carnival who explained that: “The aim of the Cultural Recovery Fund programme is to support cultural organisations as they transition back to a viable and sustainable operating model during April – June 2021. The Carnival Committee was able to take the lead in obtaining funds and we are delighted that we are able to support all Bridgwater carnival clubs who are associated with the town’s Gangs & Features organisation.”
Accepting the cheques from Mike, the President of Bridgwater Gangs and Features Association, Arthur Leigh, went on to say: “On behalf of the clubs involved, I would like to thank the committee for their splendid efforts in securing funding in this way which will be a great boost in helping our locally based carnival clubs survive this very difficult period.”
Bridgwater Carnival was one of over 2,700 organisations to be offered awards in April as part of the second round of the Cultural Recovery Fund totalling over £390 million, and which has been administered by Arts Council England.