At the Guild Hall, Sunday 29/01/23 at 5pm, The annual Chard Carnival night presentation.
Chard Carnival Committee Chairman Jason Baker welcomed over 80 guests to the Chard Carnival Presentation on Sunday afternoon, Jason Baker said “Last year’s Carnival was a huge success, and I think clearly shows that people want to see the tradition of Carnival back on our streets.
We once again ran the Street Fayre which proved to be a huge success and had over 50 stalls stretching from one end of Holyrood Street to the other and included lots of live music and entertainment.
We tried a few new things this year during Carnival week which included a chess tournament and Bingo,
we also held our usual popular events during the week which included our spot the wrong un competition in shop windows, Carnival Quiz, Craft Fayre and the lighting of the beacon”
Jason went on to thank the committee who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to put on the Carnival, Children’s Carnival & Street Fayre as well as all of the fundraising events and meetings that took place. There is much that goes on behind the scenes that no one sees.
We decided last year to pay everyone that entered appearance money rather than prize money so that everyone received funds to help towards the costs of their entries in Chard Carnival. This along with grants at the presentation adds up to an amazing £4894.34 going to local groups, carnival clubs and charitable organisations.
Jason thanked The emergency services who play a huge role in Carnival, the event could not take place without their help and cooperation as well as thanking Thorncombe First Responders who take part in the procession as well as providing emergency assistance throughout the event, Tesco for these continued support, C & D Transport for supplying collecting Vehicles and Numatic for allowing us to use there factory to line up in.
Groups that received grants were
- Bubbles Carnival Club
- Chard Girl Guides
- Holyrood Cambodia Trip
- Ferne Animal Sanctuary
- Chard Rotary Club
- Rubaloo Carnival Club
- TAPs
- Chard Scouts
- New Direction Majorettes
- One Plus One Carnival Club
- South Somerset Rainbow Scouts
- Wellington Majorettes
- ZEM Carnival Club
- Tatworth Christmas Lights & Food Table
- Sid Vale Carnival Club
- Avishayes School
- Redstart School
- Manor Court school
- Otters Carnival Club
- Little Munchkins
- Starbursts Carnival Club
- Chard Town Team Christmas Lights
- Nunsford Nutters Carnival Club
- Jacs Carnival Club
- Harlequins cc
Carnival presentation eve by Brian Quinn
Jason ended the event by reminding everyone that the Chard Carnival AGM will be held on Sunday 12th February at 7pm at the Lordleaze Hotel and would welcome new members to join our committee. We struggle to cover all of the jobs that need doing especially on Carnival Day. Please attend if you wish to join the committee.