All schoolchildren know that learning can be fun when it’s linked to something they enjoy. Which is why the organisers of Bridgwater Carnival have developed a range of activities for local schools to deliver to their students, each carefully designed to incorporate elements of the normal school curriculum.
Design and artwork has been used in the decorating of fibre glass masks supplied by Bridgwater Carnival. These 25 masks have now all been displayed in retail outlets throughout the town, creating a carnival trail around Bridgwater for townsfolk and visitors to discover. The Carnival Mask trail takes on a greater significance this year as entrants into a special competition to locate all 25 masks will automatically be put into a draw with a portrait sitting and five prints, donated by Timeless Images, being the prize for one lucky contestant. Entry forms will shortly be available from the carnival centre, EDF Energy’s visitor centre (Angel Place Shopping Centre) and the Arts Centre.
Calculating scales, construction and technology are covered in the creation of model carnival carts which children of all ages can submit for judging in a competition, sponsored this year by EDF Energy. In previous years, some of these models have incorporated moving parts, sound and lighting and there is a special award this year for creating a cart of the future.
Literacy skills are to the fore in the popular short story or poem competition when students are invited to write about a carnival experience whether real or imaginary. Local estate agents, Wilkie, May & Tuckwood are sponsoring this competition in 2015.
Workshops are being delivered by Festive Road to local schools which teach the art of making lanterns from using recycled materials. The children will then have the opportunity to parade the lanterns on Firework Friday (Friday 6 November) and again on Carnival day (Saturday 7 November).
And, following weeks of rehearsals, over 150 children from Robert Blake Science College, Chilton Trinity Technological College, St John and St Francis, Somerset Bridge and Westover Green will take part in a dance parade on carnival day as part of the entertainment programme staged in the town leading up to the parade in the evening. This activity has been kindly sponsored by Hinkley Point A, Magnox.
“We also have a team of people who visit schools to discuss the history and traditions of Bridgwater Carnival, which the children really enjoy.” said Chris Hocking, schools coordinator and life member of Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee.
“In addition to learning more about social history and tradition, the students get a chance to hold a squib cosh and to dress up in carnival costumes. We hope this experience, and all the school activities, will lead them into becoming carnivalites of the future.”
