After seven years of planning and fund-raising, a £4.9m project to future-proof the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival (BGFC) has begun.
Contractors have started on the first phase of a long-term scheme to redevelop the Carnival’s main cart-building site off Bristol Road. Phase One will see construction of five modern workshops with essential amenities including lighting, heating and running water.
Eight of the BGFC cart-building clubs occupy the site where many of the current sheds need upgrading.
Chris Hocking, who has been leading Carnival’s Bristol Road site rejuvenation, said the improved facilities will provide a safe and practical space for cart building. “This upgrade will support the continuing enthusiasm of clubs and volunteers to create the world-class carts which form such an impressive backbone for the annual Bridgwater and Guy Fawkes Circuit parades. “
One of the new workshops will be for the organising committee. It will include a separate space for meetings and showcasing the carnival’s rich heritage with a large collection of historic artefacts and memorabilia on display for public viewing.
The scheme has received a £3m grant from the central government funded £23.2m Bridgwater Town Deal Investment which has resulted in a dozen major projects for Bridgwater.
Town Council and Town Deal Board member Mick Lerry said Carnival was supported “because of the vital part it holds in the local community. These resources will help usher in a new era for the Carnival, ensuring its enduring success for generations to come. By honouring the past and embracing the future, the project aims to secure the Carnival’s place as a symbol of local pride and community spirit.”
BGFC President Dave Creedy thanked all who have backed the project. “The financial support we have received provides a strategic asset which will underpin the future of Carnival in Bridgwater for many generations to come. This funding recognises the huge part our Carnival plays in the town community and beyond. We are humbled and honoured to have received such a significant lifeline for the future.”
Bridgwater Mayor, Cllr Kathy Pearce, congratulated all involved with the project and welcomed its start as “Carnival is such an important part in Bridgwater life.”
BGFC Gangs and Features representative Sean Rendells said the day marked the start of an important new chapter for Carnival and will be a bedrock for the Bridgwater cart building clubs.
The scheme has also benefitted from a £1.25m grant from the HPC (Hinkley Point C) Community Fund, administered by Somerset Community Foundation (SCF).
Foundation spokesman Justin Sargent said: “This grant of £1.25m was the largest we have ever made and reflects the incredible role the Carnival plays in the Bridgwater community and the surrounding area, with thousands of people actively involved throughout the year. Not only is it an important cultural event, collectively the clubs provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn skills, feel connected with their community and have a lot of fun. We’re delighted to see construction starting on the project and look forward to seeing this superb, purpose-built facility when it comes to fruition.”
Somerset Community Foundation is a grant-making charity that helps passionate people in Somerset change the world on their doorstep by funding local charities and inspiring local giving and philanthropy. They aim to build stronger communities in Somerset where everyone can thrive. Through their grant-making they provide rewarding and impactful ways for donors to give through them, to the causes and places they care about most. Together, they fund amazing organisations and the passionate people that change lives every day.
Since SCF were founded in 2002 they’ve awarded more than £30 million in funding, changing thousands of lives across Somerset.
Arts Council England have contributed a further £650,000.
The contractor for phase one is Rigg Construction based in Melksham, Wiltshire. “Rigg Construction [Southern] Ltd is proud to have been appointed to deliver the new Carnival Buildings for the Bridgwater Carnival Committee. Established in Wiltshire in 1989 and expanding into the area five years ago, we have strong local client and supply-chain relationships and remain committed to delivering high-quality, socially and economically beneficial construction for the community.”
Bridgwater carnival has been a formally organised annual event since 1881, but its earliest recorded origins make it the oldest surviving carnival in the UK, supporting Bridgwater’s rightful claim to be the Home of Carnival.
