Are the West's carnivals under threat?

Carnival bosses say the future of their events are under threat as people "don't realise how much these traditions cost to put on".

Across the West, funding issues have hampered the efforts of volunteers who organise carts, bands and other entertainment.

Trowbridge Carnival in Wiltshire has been cancelled this year after organisers said it became "impossible" to raise enough money to stage the event safely, while Frome Carnival was almost canceled before last-minute funding was secured.

"People do not realise how much these traditions cost to put on," said Jo Gray, chairman of the Trowbridge Carnival. "All of the towns - us, Frome, Glastonbury - are struggling more, it does worry me."

The West Country carnival circuits are an annual celebration, usually around bonfire night, dating back to the gunpowder plot of 1605.

Carnival clubs across the region spend all year making carts for the parades, many of which are elaborate and cost thousands of pounds to construct.

Gray hopes Trowbridge Carnival, which dates back 125 years, can return in 2027 if enough money is raised.

"We've been running at a loss and using money we had in back-up to cover," she said.

"On the night, we have bucket collectors, but people cannot afford to give like they used to."

The committee received a grant fromTrowbridge Town Council, but it was less than previous years. Organisers said financial difficulties faced by local companies had also impacted sponsorship.

The Trowbridge Carnival is part of the Wessex Circuit which features towns like Trowbridge, Frome and Mere.

Arron Moulder, chairman of Frome Carnival, said it cancelled its event earlier this year before being able to put it on after all.

"Luckily for us, we had funding come forward, so we managed to get it on the road," Moulder said.

He said one of the problems was less interest in carnival from younger people.

"Our president is 93, but she's still out marshaling road closures. We're an ageing committee and we don't get the volunteers in to help, we don't get the funding," he said.

"It's not seen as a cool thing to do, let's be fair. That being said, they're still there watching the carnival, cheering it on."

In Shepton Mallet, Krodie's Carnival Club is made up of Jodie Oakmen and Kristian Plummer.

"Any carnival that's cancelled is a massive loss, not only for the towns but the committees, the people that take part," Oakmen said.

"It's a huge thing to put on a carnival in any town and unfortunately, people don't think through the summer about carnival but it will come to carnival season and they will really miss it."

Carol Parsons is chair of Pewsey Carnival, which takes place in September. She said it was "kept alive" by a local charity shop which raises money for the event.

After Trowbridge Carnival was cancelled, she suggested carnivals from across the West meet to discuss ways to save the carnival tradition.

"Things are getting more tricky and as we've seen, lots of other carnivals are really struggling," she said. "There are probably lots of ways we could help each other."

The Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival has been running since 1847, and is part of the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival circuit. Despite being the biggest carnival, it is also feeling the pinch.

Lewis White, publicity director at the carnival, said: "It is becoming increasingly challenging each year to deliver an event of the scale and quality that people have come to expect.

"However, we remain positive about the future. Our focus continues to be on delivering an exceptional carnival."

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