40th anniversary leaves lasting legacy!

Castle Cary and Ansford Carnival Society held their annual Presentation Evening on Friday 3 February and gave £2000 from their 2017 carnival collections to 18 deserving local causes. The evening was very well attended, with the Carnival Committee welcoming nearly 100 people to Ansford Academy.

The carnival’s young royalty presented donations to 4 more charitable organsiations than last year, wit
h the money going to a wide range of causes. Some received a donation for the first time, including:

• All Saints Castle Cary’s Development Fund – a new group with a huge task of raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for the church roof and to open up the building to the whole community
• Galhampton Village Hall – for a projector as part of fitting out their fabulous new village hall.

Other groups receiving funds again included:

• Castle Cary Primary School – as a token of thanks for their wonderful support in 2017, received money towards new equipment for the after school club
• Ansford Academy – also to recognise their great partnership in 2017, received funds to support an educational and sustainability trip to Borneo.

The full list of charitable organisations receiving donations were;

Ansford Academy, All Saints Development Fund, Toybox Pre-school, Galhampton Village Hall, South Cadbury and Sutton Montis parish Councils, Castle Cary Museum, Yeovil Rotary, Castle Cary Primary School, Brue Valley Rotary, Caryford Community Hall, The Devon & Somerset Fire Rescue Service, Avon and Somerset Police, Castle Cary Majorettes, Dorset and Somerset Ambulance, Castle Cary Scouts and St Johns Ambulance.

North Cadbury PTFA and Castle Cary Primary PTFA also received their commission for sales of carnival toys during the carnival procession.

“It is a very special evening in our carnival calendar,” said Society Chairperson Di Pinnions, “An opportunity to celebrate what carnival is all about as we hand out donations to support our local community, and thank everyone who has helped us.”

There was also some special news to mark last year’s 40^th anniversary. Both local schools are now even more actively engaged with carnival, helping to inspire a new generation of carnivalites and ensure our proud tradition continues. Kerri Marshfield, Head of Creative Arts at Ansford Academy, and Sarah Martin, Head Teacher, Castle Cary Primary School were present and spoke enthusiastically about the way participating in the carnival last year broadened the children’s education.

Both schools have great plans to get involved again this year, with Ansford Academy now home to Somerset’s newest Carnival Club!

 

Special thanks were given to everyone who helped with the carnival; including marshals, other town carnival committees, and a whole range of volunteers who give their time, and often, financial support too.  Very grateful thanks were also given to the private individuals and local businesses that provide the critical sponsorship for the carnival

• Cinema in Caryford
• The George Hotel and White Hart
• BGW Solicitors
• Wyke Farms
• Battens Solicitors
• Ansford Parish Council
• The Horse Pond Inn
• Heather’s Flowers
• The Boyer Family
• John Boyd Textiles

 

Society President Gordon Stockman said, “2018 as our 40^th anniversary year was a very special one for carnival in Castle Cary and Ansford. We’re delighted that our carnivals are in such good health – it’s a real testimony to the strength of our community. Here’s to another 40 years!”