Frome Carnival defies the rain!

FROME’S annual carnival defied the downpours at the weekend, with crowds refusing to let the rain dampen their spirits, as they turned out to enjoy another spectacular and successful parade.

The carnival committee’s chairperson June Barnes said, “It has been over 20 years since the carnival was marred by such bad weather.  However, we are incredibly grateful to the many entrants who came out and braved the rain, giving the whole town a spectacular performance!”

Despite the heavy rain, the afternoon Children’s Carnival saw an increase in entrants from the previous year. There were some very impressive entries from both individuals and groups, with Class 6 (groups of 3 or more, aged up to 16) being particular hotly contended.  First prize in that class went to Frome Girl Guides, with their entry ‘Under the sea’, with second and third places going to Frome Boxing & Fitness Club and St John’s Charitable Youth Units respectively.

Special awards went to Indie Hookins for ‘Autumn Nymph’ and Oakfield Academy for ‘Aladdin’.  Chairman’s Choice awards went to Toby Denne for ‘Awful Auntie’, Frome Girl Guides and Iyla Reeson and Ellis Harrison for ‘Under the Sea’.  The Spirit of the Carnival Award went to the Dolphin Marching Band in recognition of their fabulous performance despite the rain, including one band member who forgot his coat but continued on regardless!

The evening’s carnival was jam packed with a mix of entries: including floats, bands, majorettes, walking entries and more.  The evening’s entertainment started with Frome’s phenomenal samba band Jamma De Samba, before the main carnival began.  The procession was led by a large number of vintage vehicles from Somerset’s Festival of Transport. 

Kipling Carnival Club scooped a host of prizes for their entry ‘A Fisherman’s Tale’.  Junior Masquerader was won by Lottie Wheeler for ‘Fruit Bat’, with Abbie Haines scooping first place in the adult masquerader class for ‘Abia’.  The best collector was won by Dominic O’Brien who was dressed as ‘The Caveman’, with Frome Army Cadets winning best group of collectors.  The spirit of the carnival cup, judged by the Frome Town Crier, went to Izzy Wheeler for her entry ‘The mad scientist’ for entertaining the crowds and smiling despite the rain.  A full list of awards and winners for both processions can be found on the Frome Carnival website.

An amazing £2,000 was given in donations throughout the day, which all goes directly to local charities and good causes.  A further £1,000 was made by Frome Carnival’s official sellers who sold a range of light-up toys during the two processions.  The carnival committee extend their thanks to everyone who donated and brought items from official vendors; your generosity is so appreciated.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, June Barnes said, “We would like to thank everyone involved with making the carnival such a success.  It takes a whole community of people to put the carnival on, from our many kind and committed volunteers, to the emergency services, from our many fabulous entrants to the carnival sponsors and supporters.  

“Thank you all for being part of Frome Carnival and thank you to everyone who came and watched the event and donated.  It simply would not happen without you all.”