The Carnival Towns Of Somerset

Forget Rio and Notting Hill, we believe the Somerset Carnival Circuit is the best show of its type in the world. Here LAURA BRIGGS takes a closer look at some of the places it visits

- Laura Briggs

THE GLITTERING Somerset carnivals see clubs from across the region battle it out for the best floats, costumes and music to gain glory in the annual event.

Families line the streets braving whatever the British weather throws at them, while hundreds of thousands of lights on elaborate and colourful floats create an electric atmosphere as music blares out into the night.

There’s nothing quite like carnival season in Somerset and the towns that take part in the circuit draw crowds from miles around.

Bridgwater is the pinnacle of the circuit and draws the biggest crowds, with other towns on the circuit including Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea, North Petherton, Glastonbury and Wells. Carnival time is but once a year, but after the procession has left town there’s still plenty to do in all of these great Somerset towns.

BRIDGWATER: 

Bridgwater is the highlight of the circuit. The town is unique during the carnival as squibbing is practised here - the simultaneous firing of lots of large fireworks. Many come to the town just to witness the spectacle where somewhere in the region of 150 squibbers line the High Street and all light their squibs at the same time. 

This year the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival has been awarded £30,000 from the National Lottery Arts Council, enabling the committee to make the annual event even better.

As part of the funding, free practical courses are being run at Bridgwater College on subjects such as costume making, set design and build, stage make up, welding as well and other carnival related subjects.