Carnival fever lands in Frome!

ANOTHER carnival has passed with smiling faces as last weekend’s procession was blessed with sunshine and has been hailed a big success by organisers.

This year’s Frome Carnival took place on Saturday 19th September, and huge crowds and impressive entries saw around £4,800 raised for local causes.

Carnival chair June Barnes said, “I was absolutely delighted with the entries this year; everybody worked really hard and the quality of both the floats and walking entries was very high indeed.

“There was a great turnout and lovely weather; I expect even more people came to support us this year, for which we’re grateful.

“Thank you especially to all the entrants, volunteers, collectors, Rotary members and marshalls. We were very pleased with the success of the children’s activities put on by the Children’s Festival in the day, too.

“My personal highlight was seeing so many people out waiting to see the procession, and the entries getting so excited about the day.”

The overall winner of this year’s carnival competition was the Kipling Junior Carnival Club, from Shaftesbury, with their float ‘London to Paris: The Race’. They were awarded the Butler & Tanner Social Club Cup.

The full results for the day’s competitions can be found on the website at www.frome carnival.org.uk.

Despite the fun of the day, Frome Carnival was again blighted by inconsiderate parking along the route.

June said, “The biggest disappointment of the day was people parking inconsiderately again, despite the road closure and no parking signs. We appreciate it may be inconvenient but it’s not a big ask for one day of the year. There were vehicles parked in the children’s afternoon route which made it incredibly difficult for the procession to pass.

“We announced the road closures and had signs up; I just cannot understand why it keeps happening. We don’t know what else to do to stop it happening. Parking on the route makes it difficult for spectators – particularly children – and difficult for the entrants who don’t have enough space.”

Frome Carnival raises money to be distributed via its charities committee, which uses it throughout the year to give help to those who are in need in the Frome area and surrounding villages.