Weston-super-Mare Carnival Could be Cancelled Next Year

ORGANISERS of Weston-super-Mare’s annual carnival say future processions may not happen unless more donations are given by spectators.

Weston Carnival Committee member Brian Coombes says more people need to show support financial support at this year’s procession on November 15.

He says donations continue to fall year on year and are now only half the amount the procession raised at the beginning of the decade.

Mr Coombs said: “I think there will be carnivals disappearing unless the donations rise in future.

“As with all events, the cost of staging the carnival is rising.

“Everything is going up including the insurance costs and we have to pay for licences for the music on the floats.

“So it is costing a lot more to stage than it used to be but we are seeing less and less donations on the night.

“All the carnival towns are having the same problem.”

Usually the event attracts spectators from Bristol, Somerset and the Midlands and the majority of hotels get filled during a normally quiet winter season.

Mr Coombs says he is therefore disappointed with the support given by hoteliers in the resort and equally the pubs and restaurants, who all benefit from the additional trade.

He added: “I am very disappointed with the support I have had from hoteliers.

“This year I have only received help from the Sandringham Hotel.

“I would like to see more help from those who benefit; all the pubs and B&B’s do a roaring trade.

“I have this year however had help from McDonalds for the first time, which is great.”

The procession will be diverted from its traditional route for the second year running and will go from the Locking Road car park towards the Odeon and down Regent Street towards the seafront.

The floats will then travel left towards the Tropicana, before going left down Clarence Road North and Walliscote Road, before heading back to Station Road

As a result of the event there will be no parking available on the route from 4pm and road closures will be in place from 6pm (Beach Road from 4pm). 

The carnivals in Somerset date back 400 years and are one of the most spectacular events in the region.

Weston is the last in the carnival in the Somerset series named the Magnificent Seven, which includes visits to Bridgwater, North Petherton, Burnham-on-Sea, Shepton Mallet, Wells and Glastonbury.

To volunteers as a marshall at the event or to offer some help call Mr Coombes on 01934 629888.