Fabulous at forty!
Castle Cary storms its 40th anniversary with “best ever carnival”!
The streets of Castle Cary & Ansford were packed as the community came together to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of carnival. The procession sparkled with fabulous entries from far as wide. Both local schools showcased their creativity and talent, dazzling big floats wove their way through the streets. Diverse marching bands, and ingenious walking entries showed carnival spirit is alive and well in Cary.
The mixture of big hitting floats, varied new entrants and creative local entries made for a hugely entertaining procession for the estimated 5,000 crowd. Many thanks to everyone for helping raise nearly £2,500 for local good causes.
Castle Cary & Ansford’s Illuminated Carnival last Saturday showed how a community can come together to put on an spectacular show. “This was the best carnival I can remember,” said Carnival Society Chair, Di Pinnions. “To have entries of such a high standard from both local schools was tremendous. The Ansford Academy team put together an amazing entry ‘Ansford in Wonderland’ in four weeks and thoroughly deserved their success, winning among others the Spectator’s Choice cup.”
Best overall cart was Hot Rock, with their exotic Inca; local club Cary Comedians in their comeback year came second, with festive favourite Ass Haul.
The standard of walking Masqueraders was extremely high and very entertaining. Notting Hill Club, Mahogony, impressed the crowd with their magic super-sized swans, The New Male Majorettes consistently getting the biggest laughs!
Crackpots Carnival Club reformed to win Best Adult local entry, impressing the crowd with their agility in motorised scooters! Best overall Masquerader was sparkling The Sami Wanderer with Izzy Wheeler. The high stepping, twinkling and twirling Enigma majorettes came first in their competition.
The evening raised close to £2,500 for local charitable causes.
Determined to celebrate its 40th anniversary in style, earlier in the year the Society bid for and was awarded an Arts Council England Lottery grant. “If Bridgwater can do it – so can we!” said Entries and Judging Secretary, Paul Burch. The grant meant the Committee could financially support the local schools’ entries, bring in some special carnival skills like costume expertise from one of the Notting Hill clubs, and pay for new, high quality procession entries that otherwise they couldn’t afford.
Another first for the Committee was to sell children’s carnival toys – keeping money out of unlicensed pedlar’s pockets. “It’s been a huge amount of work to organise, but brings in important source of additional revenue.” said Dave Lawrence who spearheaded the initiative locally.
“I’d like to personally thank the committee for rallying round for this very special celebration. They have worked doubly hard this year to make sure Saturday was the festival our towns deserved.” enthused Carnival Society Chair, Di Pinnions. “Thank goodness all went smoothly and safely. We’re looking forward to a few well deserved weeks off before planning next year!”