Frome Carnival is back – and ready to party!

FROME’S much-loved Carnival is taking place next week, with organisers saying that following a tough couple of years, they are looking forward to being back on the road and bringing smiles to people’s faces.

The carnival will take place on Saturday 24th September, with the children’s carnival procession from 2.30pm from Victoria Park (judging from 1.30pm), and the evening procession from 7pm leaving the Marston Trading Estate (judging on route).

There are fundraising carnival events leading up to carnival day, along with the popular duck race in October. See below for dates of these events.

The money raised from this year’s collection will help secure the future of the carnival and will also be split between four charities; Frome Community Wardrobe, Fair Frome, Coleford Scouts and Wessex Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Mandy Morgan, event/judging coordinator at Frome Carnival said, “No matter how big or small, we are back out in the streets of Frome, and we hope to see as many of you as we can! We want this to be a real celebration given the past few years and help raise some money for vital causes at the same time.

“We’re really looking forward to getting back out on the road and bringing smiles to faces – the Frome Carnival is always special, but we often get comments about how good our atmosphere is. I can’t describe it to you, the feeling when you walk through the town centre, it just feels electric.

“It’s been a bit of a struggle for us and the local clubs this year. We are just the hosts; we don’t make the entries and we’re solely reliant on all the clubs in getting their entries together. We have several large floats already and we’re hoping this will be the light at the end of the tunnel of what has been a tough few years for everyone.

“We’ve had criticism in the past – ‘blink and you’ll miss it’, that kind of thing, but to those we say, would you like to join in? Our committee is only a dozen strong, so we could do with the help. Many clubs and carnivals have folded over the years, but we have remained strong thanks to doing things like the Carnival Fun Day this summer and we’ve tried to support those local clubs by offering free stalls at these events.”

For the first time, the carnival has also got an online option for people to donate this year – to donate via your smart phone, scan one of the three QR codes and follow the web link or text either CARNIVAL 1 to 70560 (for a £1 donation) CARNIVALFIVE to 70450 (for a £5 donation), or CARNIVALTEN to 70490 (for a £10 donation).

Mandy explained, “A lot of people like the traditional way of chucking coins in buckets and we will of course still be doing that, but we have a more modern option for people to donate from home.

“I know this isn’t the best time to ask the public for money and we realise that everyone is finding things a bit difficult right now, given what’s going on in the country, but there are always people more worse off than us and the charities we are supporting will really help people if they’re going through a tough time. If you do have some cash to spare or feel like donating using our QR codes, then please do, it will be so appreciated.

“A big congratulations and special mention as well to Carnival Princesses Azaria Toop and Ruby Westlake, who entered the ‘design a programme’ competition. Zaria came first, so her winning entry will be on the front of the carnival programme and Ruby’s design will be on the back.”

Organisers have also asked for people to pick up a programme this year to support the carnival- and you’ll be in with a chance to win £50! In one of the programmes there will be a yellow sticker informing the owner that they have won £50, with the details on how to claim on the back.

Frome Carnival key dates:

• Saturday 18th September: Quiz at the Masons Arms at 7.30pm. Teams of four with lots of cash prizes.
• Tuesday 20th September: Bingo at South Parade Club with eyes down at 7.30pm.
• Saturday 24th September: Carnival Day. Afternoon procession at 2.30pm and Evening procession 7pm
• Saturday 10th to Friday 30th September: Spot the window competition and best decorated window (sponsored by Frome Times)
• Sunday 4th October: Annual Duck Race

For more information on these events please visit www.fromecarnival.org.uk

For full information about the four charities that Frome Carnival is sponsoring this year please visit their Facebook or website.