THIS year's Chard Carnival was described by Cllr Jason Baker, chairman of Chard Carnival, as having "the largest crowd he has ever seen".

The day of the Carnival (Saturday, October 12) started with an explosion of energy as the Children’s Carnival procession took to the streets - which had many entries, including three local primary schools.

The evening procession had a rocky start, with an initial delay of around 10 minutes due to a car blocking the route into town, but quickly recovered with the Windy Bike clubs taking centre stage.

They were then followed by the Devon Truck Show and The Bournemouth Marching band - who entertained the crowds as they performed around the procession route.

In total there were 80 entries in this year’s carnival parade and the main feature carts were led by Rubalo’s “Birds of Paradise”.

Whilst there was a bit of turbulence, with the procession having to be halted for around 45 minutes - as a club hit the fencing whilst leaving Numatics and became entangled - the contagious positivity spready by the performers and hard work from the committee members helped get the carnival back on track.

Cllr Jason Baker said: “Several clubs who were stopped on the route during this incident entertained the crowd and kept their spirits up which was fantastic to see. “

The procession very quickly got back underway, and the crowd got to see all the amazing entries that were in the procession which included glistening walking entries, majorettes, dance troops, illuminated floats from both Devon & Somerset and even Willis from Bridgwater with their entry, “Tinned Up”.

The procession ended with the rainbow colours of the "Pinball" cart by Harlequin - who won five special awards including the feature class, best costume, best lighting, most colourful and Chairman’s choice.

Results

Feature

1st  - Harlequin, Pinball

2nd – Gemini, Rock n roll train

3rd – Sidvale, What a show

 

Comic

1st: Nunsford Nutters, Nee Naw

2nd - One plus one, Who’s hungry

3rd - Honiton young farmers, Pull the plug

 

Youth

1st - Rubalo, Birds of Paradise

2nd - Next Generation, Bugsy Malone

3rd - Colyton Brownies, Sea Shanty

 

Open

1st - Zem CC, Master of the house

 

Adult Walking

1st - Jack’s, Rag time

2nd - Tizzy CC, Carnival of Colours

3rd - Spirit CC, Treasures of the deep

 

Junior Walking

1st - Jiggle Jiggle Jnr, Steam Punk

2nd - Lily Langley, The conductor

3rd - Flynn Newbury, Clowntastic

 

Pairs Walking

1st - A & A CC, The time machine

2nd - Ruth and Rio Welch, Animatronics

3rd - Dee Gees CC, Send in the clowns

 

Open Walking

1st – Wilfs, Tinned up

2nd - Xtreme CC, Year of the dragon

3rd  - Chard Museum, Margaret Bondfield Celebration

 

Trade

1st - Devon truck show

 

Majorettes

1st - South Petherton Majorettes

2nd - Joint, Ilchester Gems, Merriott Majorettes

3rd - Enigma Twirl Team, Rave to the grave

 

Non-Federation

1st - Bubbles CC, Egyptopia

 

Royalty

1st - Chard Royalty

 

Best Lorry

Truck 1 - Devon Truck show

 

Best Makeup

Rubalo CC, Birds of Paradise

 

Best Costume

Harlequin, Pin Ball

 

Best Lighting

Harlequin, Pin ball

 

Best Build up

Gemini, Rock n Roll Train

 

Best Lorry Build

Sidvale CC what a show

 

Best Dressed Driver

Rubalo CC Birds of Paradise

 

Most original

Nunsford Nutters, Nee Naw

 

Most Colourful

Harlequin CC, Pinball

 

Spirit of carnival

Nunsford Nutters, Nee Naw

 

Best Music

Gemini CC, Rock n Roll Train

 

Mayors Choice

Sidvale, What a show

 

Royalty Choice

Honiton Young Farmers, Pull the plug

 

Chairman’s choice

Harlequin, Pin Ball

So far, Chard Carnival collection has made just under £2500 but there are still collecting buckets in the shops which will remain out for another couple of weeks.

If you have not had the chance to and still wish to donate you can also do so via the website: chardcarnival.co.uk.

Cllr Jason Baker said: “A huge thank you to all the committee for their support, without all of their hard work and dedication we wouldn’t have had such an amazing carnival.

“I would also like to thank all the Marshalls who volunteered their time, we had over 80 as well as the 35 judges who did a fantastic job, a big thank you to all of the clubs and entries for making Chard Carnival a fantastic day. 

“I would like to remind everyone that this and many other events are run by volunteers who put hundreds of hours in for free and although things didn’t go without a hitch we would ask for your understanding and support

“Another thank you to Harlequin CC and Rubalo CC for all their support and advice and also to One Plus One CC who came back out in the early hours of Sunday morning with a tractor to assist in making the Numatics site secure.”