WRITTEN BY BRENDON HILL, CARNIVAL HISTORIAN AND WEBSITE CO-OWNER - COPYRIGHT 1996 + ALL RIGHTS RESERVED B.S. HILL - WITH NO EXCEPTIONS.

CARNIVAL - To most people Carnival is a day in late September to late November when they come to watch a procession of electric splendour, ask a carnivalite and the reply would be carnival is a way of life, 52 weeks of the year. The Bridgwater Carnival attracts more than 150,000 spectators to see the most spectacular illuminated carts, followed by the famous 'simultaneous squibbing' which is held in the High Street, the carnival procession is made up of many entries from a single juvenile masquerader walking to the major mounted entries.

LOCAL TERMINOLOGY WHICH IS RELEVANT TO OUR CARNIVALS IS AS FOLLOWS.

CAR-This was the pre- war name used for the carts you see in today's procession.

SQUIBBS-A very large firework tied to a Cosh, (these squibbs are now classed as a category 4 firework)

CART-This is what most people know as a float. The cart is drawn by a tractor, the entries are restricted to a size of 5.33 meters high, 30.48 meters in length and 3.35 meters in width.

COSH-A 'T' shaped item which looks like a very large broom, the squibb (a very large category 4 firework) is tied to the cosh. The cosh is held in two hands above the head, the cosh is now horizontal and the squibb held vertically upwards. Over 100 squibbers, light their squibbs which creates a spectacular sight to end the evening, the squibbs used to end with a loud bang, until Health and Safety laws were brought in, in the late 1990's).

Local squibbs go back as far as 1716 when a local man, John Taylor blew himself and his two children to kingdom come, whilst making his own squibbs.

THE STAGE SHOW-A two week long concert which takes place in the town hall in Bridgwater, each club has 8 minutes to entertain the audience, between the clubs performances, local solo or small groups of artistes perform in front of the curtain facilitating the frantic changes going on back stage. The standard of these concerts are of a very high level, which has been reflected in the past, with difficulties in obtaining tickets. The first concert was held in 1883, and ran for two nights only. The concerts usually start on the Monday nearest the 4th October and continue for a full two weeks.

MARSHALS-A group of dedicated who makes sure the carts are escorted to their right positions in the arrival zone, and to line the route making sure crowd control is safely adhered to. Good marshals are as important as the carnival procession itself.

THE COMMITTEE'S-A body of people who spend all year promoting the carnival, raising funds for prize money, and looking out to the legal matters and working alongside the local authorities, police, fire and ambulance services.

CARNIVAL CLUBS-Clubs are made up from ordinary people, outsiders would say they must be mad to put so much in and get nothing out, but how wrong they are. Carnivalites are very proud of their club and only expect to get a good time, and perhaps a prize winning cart. The clubs work hard all year round to raise the money required to build their cart, dances, raffles, sponsored walks and skittle weeks are just some of the ways club members raise money. Members dedicate most of their spare time in the building of their cart, from April onwards, but the clubs on the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Circuit the last two weeks in October are the most important days of building, members take their annual holidays which makes their wives and girlfriends carnival widows, but come carnival night they are friends again.

THE SOMERSET COUNTY GUY FAWKES CARNIVAL CIRCUIT SEASON - PRIOR TO 1999.

THE SOMERSET COUNTY GUY FAWKES CARNIVAL CIRCUIT SEASON - PRIOR TO 2012.

Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival.

North Petherton Guy Fawkes Carnival.

Highbridge & Burnham-on-Sea Winter Carnival.

Shepton Mallet Guy Fawkes Carnival.

Wells City Guy Fawkes Carnival.

Glastonbury & Chilkwell Guy Fawkes Carnival.

Weston-super-Mare Illuminated Carnival.

Thursday - nearest the 5th November.

Saturday - nearest the 7th November.

Monday - nearest 9th November.

Wednesday - nearest 11th November.

Friday - nearest 13th November.

Saturday - nearest 14th November.

Monday - nearest 16th November.

Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival.

North Petherton Guy Fawkes Carnival.

Highbridge & Burnham-on-Sea Winter Carnival.

Shepton Mallet Guy Fawkes Carnival.

Wells City Guy Fawkes Carnival.

Glastonbury & Chilkwell Guy Fawkes Carnival.

Weston-super-Mare Illuminated Carnival.

Friday - nearest the 5th November.

Saturday - nearest the 7th November.

Monday - nearest 9th November.

Wednesday - nearest 11th November.

Friday - nearest 13th November.

Saturday - nearest 14th November.

Monday - nearest 16th November.

BLACK FRIDAY-The day after Bridgwater Carnival the members of the Bridgwater clubs make their way to the headquarters of the winning club. The phrase Black Friday was born several years ago before all day drinking. The it was the practice for a public house to apply for an extension of drinking hours on the Friday after Bridgwater Carnival. On some occasions public houses were refused an extension but in the words of one magistrate it would surely be a Black Friday for the pubs who had carnival clubs based there to be refused. Since Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival changed the day of their carnival to a Friday, unfortunately, the tradition of Black Friday, sadly ceased. However the carnivalites of Bridgwater were not to beaten by their own carnival committee, the tradition of clubs visiting the winning Bridgwater carnival clubs headquarters, still continues today however, the day has changed to the Sunday after both Bridgwater, and North Petherton Guy Fawkes Carnivals, and the first year was known as Black Sabbath. However by holding this on the Sunday, many carnivalites from the other carnival circuits make the pilgrimage to Bridgwater to share in the celebrations.

GUY FAWKES-Everybody celebrates on this day widely known as Bonfire night which is held on 5th November, and everybody knows the story of Guy Fawkes the man who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament, but a man by the name of Robert Parsons a Jesuit priest born on 24th June 1546 the son of a blacksmith in Nether Stowey, just a few miles from Bridgwater was, one of the brains behind the gunpowder plot. At the time when Guy Fawkes, Catesby and three others carried the blame, Parsons who was never held to account kept well out of the way. Parsons made his way to Rome where he was rector of the English college whilst serving the Pope. He died on 15th April 1610 Because of the failure of the gunpowder plot people celebrated with bonfires, and the practice of throwing 'guys' on the bonfire was a simple variation of the old practice of burning effigies. Perhaps because of the close relationship between Parsons and Fawkes, and Parsons being a local man, the tradition of bonfires and fireworks are probably celebrated more in Bridgwater than any other place in the United Kingdom. Bridgwater celebrates Guy Fawkes day with a night time illuminated carnival, which it is claimed to be the biggest illuminated carnival in the World, this can be traced back to 1605, the date of the ill fated attempt to blow up the House of Parliament, by Guy Fawkes. Visit www.guyfawkes.org.uk 

BONFIRE CELEBRATIONS-The bonfire on the Cornhill in Bridgwater, was the biggest bonfire to be built in Bridgwater for carnival night, it was at least 24 feet across the base and towering to its apex were tar barrels and a boat. The fire was lit at 7pm and was fed more timber, boxes and even an old piano, which went on way past midnight. Around the Cornhill shops were barricaded and covered with large wet canvas sheets to stop the heat breaking the shop windows. The bonfire must have been a magnificent site to see. On 28th August 1925 the carnival committee held a meeting at the Golden Ball in the High Street, where it was decided that because of the new road surface laid by Tarmacaddam on the Cornhill would melt, should the bonfire be lit on this new surface.  So 6th November 1924 the people of Bridgwater saw the last bonfire lit on the Cornhill. In charge was Mr Edwin Scribbens who had been a bonfire boy for a record 61 years along with other bonfire boys made ready the last bonfire. Mr. Harry Burge led a large number of children from the Cornhill Exchange to the bonfire where they marched round and round holding a lighted taper. At a signal the fire was lit with a dramatic whoosh and loud cheers from the crowd. Those young children who lit the last bonfire in 1924 were. Ena Randell, Alma Howell, Vera Howell, Mary Cook, Kathleen Ridgment, Ethel Mouncher, Hilda Mouncher, Irene Hill, Hilda Smith, Hilda Palmer, Mary Smith, Gladys Walters, Edna White, Lena Hubbard, Doris Hubbard, Linda Hill, Frances Hill, Cynthia Nichols, Irene Browning, Joan Harvey, Mary Jennings, Clara Jennings, Olive Fowler, Lily Gillingham, Beatrice Hoyal, May Hoyal, Doris Cook, Ivy Hubbard, Edna White, Eileen Jennings, Irene Jennings, Harry Scrbbens, Jack Drew, Donald Palfrey, Harry Cooze, Ray Seymour, Joey Cooze, Reg Palmer, Doris Cummings, Billie Walters, Harry Burge, Jack Burge, Jack Seymour, Frank Seymour, Frank Hubbard, Jack Jarvis, Stanley Ferris, Ivor Smith, Ted Lockyer, Billie Harvey, Ernest Bright, Dick Vearncombe, Harold White, Vincent Jennings, Donald Toby, Ernest Cornish, Edward Parker, Doris Cave, John Collard, Norman Collard, Lionel Burge and Albert Parsons.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

In the 1880's the motto of Bridgwater Carnival was 'Loyalty, Fraternity, Jollity' and was inscribed on a large banner carried in front of the procession.

The Carnival Concert in 1885 had a nightly audience of between 1,200 and 1,300 people, which puts today's audience in the lower league.

The last pair of decorated horses to take part in Bridgwater Carnival were used by the Crown Inn Carnival Club in 1948 the driver being Mr. T. G. Burge

In 1950 the Carnival Concerts was extended to 12 performances.

Launched on the 23rd of April 2000, TCT/Swift TV website, which has turned out to be the largest carnival website in the World dedicated to the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnivals,

and later to encompass, coverage of the North, South and East Devon, South Somerset Federation and Wessex Grand Prix Carnival Circuits.

Bridgwater was a growing town in the 1880's the old iron bridge across the river was too narrow for increasing the traffic. The town council decide that a new bridge was to be built, it was hoped that the new bridge would be ready for the Bath & West show which was to be held in Bridgwater in the May, but it soon became apparent that the new bridge was going to take longer to complete than originally thought. When May arrived the bridge was ready for pedestrians only, traffic had to use a temporary wooden bridge which was erected alongside. The local magistrate Captain John Ford who was also the chairman of the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee laughingly suggested that the new bridge should be opened by the torchlight procession of Bridgwater Carnival which was to be held on 5th November, in the event of his remark, meant as a joke at the time, proved to be prophetic.

The bridge was completed in October and the official opening was to be on the afternoon of 5th November - Guy Fawkes day. The carnival committee decided that they must do their utmost for this very important occasion. They announced they would hold the greatest carnival ever in Bridgwater. It was declared that when the procession of carnivalites arrived at the bridge, a spectacular firework display would be given to the people of the town. The procession was of great splendour. While 300 blazing torches were carried across the bridge a spectrum of splendour was seen by roman candles, sky rockets and the Bridgwater Squibb. But to pay for this money had to be raised. A group of gentlemen from the Bridgwater Amateur Christy Band decided that an entertaining way was the answer. A popular entertainment as they called it was to be held in the Bridgwater Town Hall, concerts were a sure way of raising money. A small concert committee was formed to provide the entertainment, the music was to be provided by the Bridgwater Amateur Christy Band, the stage manager was Mr F. J. Squire. The stage was set, tickets were promenade 3d (1. 25) and balcony 6d (2.5p). The profit of the first Bridgwater Carnival Concert was a grand total of 14 guineas.

The fun on bonfire night were usually of good nature but sometimes got out of hand, This happened in 1880 when a riot occurred, when the volunteer fire brigade led by Captain George Ricks, together with firefighters, Parker, Rose, Ware and Willis arrived on the scene together with Mr Mr Jack Fackrell the Town Crier, attempted to extinguish the bonfire at 1am in the morning. This angered the late night reveller's and the firemen were prevented from dousing the flames by the spectators. Fireman James Ware was physically attacked, he took flight, pursued by angry crowd of about 250 people. Ware hid in the Town Criers house in Clare Street where the crowd threw objects at the windows and walls attempts made to break down the door which was guarded by the Police. He escaped, but the crowd went onto his house in Dampiet Street, where again the crowd threw stones at his house breaking many windows.

A year later in the month of October 1881, the first Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee was formed with Captain J. Ford JP. an ex-army officer and bank manager as it's chairman and William Bouchier, a local businessman as it Secretary and Treasurer. The committee orgainised Bridgwater first Guy Fawkes official procession through the main streets of the town on the evening of Monday 7th November 1881. Under their guidance the carnival prospered and the entries got better every year, but the fact still remained that the carnival was illegal!!

1883 will be a year to remember, why! because it was the year when Bridgwater Carnival held it's first Carnival Concert, It all begun on Wednesday 31st October at the Town Hall. The doors opened at 7.30pm and within minutes

the hall was filled not a spare space was to be found. The concerts came about in a very unusual way, and the Town Bridge holds the answer.

In the Coronation year of Edward Vll in 1902 it encouraged a number of entries to bring this theme to Carnival and as in previous years, these were all horse drawn using - in the main - shire horses which were decorated to fit the occasion. Each horse had a shining harness, polished collars, hanging bells, coloured ribbons and brightly coloured hooves. Special prizes were awarded to these magnificent beasts. The Bown's a local family who still have a big connection with carnival were particularly known for  the splendid turn out of these animals.

On Wednesday 3rd November 1909 the eve of carnival news spread rapidly that a raid had taken place on a house in Angel Crescent, and that a large amount of squibbs had been seized. It transpired that an Inspector of Explosives, a man by the name of Mr W. H. Kitch, had made an application for a search warrant, and together with officers from the Borough Police Force entered the house. In a shed at the rear of the house they found 164 squibbs, weighing just over 6cwt. The largest squibbs were 2ft in length and weighed 7lbs each. Also found was 39lbs of gunpowder, a coffee mill for grinding the powder, a filling spoon, iron filings, ram rods, roller and paper cases. Most of the haul belonged to one carnival gang, the next morning they pleaded to have their precious squibbs released, or at least some of them. But the powers that be firmly said no and declined their appeals. The carnival was as usual a great show except for the fact that only the 'official' squibbs were let off. The seizure of the raid was told at the magistrates court on the following Monday the Town Clerk, Mr. W. T. Baker, prosecuted in the case which was against the householder 'for unlawfully manufacturing fireworks', the court stated if an explosion had occurred it might have caused several deaths, and the blowing up of the whole of Angel Crescent. A fine of 10 with costs and an advocates fee, was the penalty. The total amounted to 13/1/6d (13.71/2p). Local carnivalites opened a subscription a a total of 18/1/6d (18.71/2p). A grand total of 5/0/0d (5.00) was left over and in the grand tradition of carnival, the money was given to the 'soup kitchen fund'.

In 1913 the Chief Constable, a welsh man by the name of Mr. W. J. Davey who knew nothing about the town and it's traditions received a letter from the Home Office asking if it were true that the people of Bridgwater intended to build a bonfire and let off giant squibbs on carnival night. The Chief Constable acted with response by trying to cancel the carnival. The council met in and emergency meeting and it was proposed to move the carnival to Cranleigh Gardens, and a very large crowd gathered outside the Bridgwater Mercury Office to hear the result, but it was met with very bad feelings. Davey was adamant however, that if the carnival took place some arrests would be necessary and changes would be made. The committee took legal advice and found the solution, they knew that with or without officialdom, was going to take place anyway. When the committee published their announcement it was received with great delight from the people of the town.

In 1911 Mr S. W. Palfrey took the first series of photographs of the gangs, and the first were published in the 'Bridgwater Mercury' in November 1919, when the Albert Street Old Boys Carnival club won first prize with 'Moors Of Venice'. The publication being the day after the carnival, in the now defunct 'Bridgwater Independent'. The sale of this issue was easily the highest of the year. From 1946 the procession was to form up as follows, Division 1, in St John Street between Cranleigh Gardens and Edward Street. Division 2 between Edward Street and the GWR Passenger Station. Division 3 in Wellington Road. The procession went through Eastover, Fore Street, High Street, North Street, and march at ease through Northfields. All entries then dispersed on reaching the Cornhill on the return route.

Until 2011 the procession lined up on one side of the dual carriageway called Parkway on the Sydenham Estate, the procession starts at the gates of the now defunct BCL factory on Bath Road, then Monmouth Street, Broadway West,

St. Mary Street, Cornhill, High Street. Penel Orlieu, Broadway South and disperses at the junction of Broadway South and the A38/A39.

Frome 2012 the procession still lines up on one side of the dual carriageway called Parkway on the Sydenham Estate, the procession starts at the gates of the now defunct BCL factory on Bath Road, then Monmouth Street, Broadway West,

St. Mary Street, Cornhill, High Street. Penel Orlieu, turning right into Mount Street, and finishing at Castle Moat, this is due to Bridgwater carnival changing to a Saturday night after which all entries must then proceed to Weston-super-Mare for the next carnival on the following Friday.

In 1946 the carnival got back to its former glory and carried on with its fine traditions of the glorious 5th of November, The carnival of this year was of great splendour and as usual crowds came in great volume. The war-time bus shelter on the Cornhill, which many locals called the 'cowshed' was one of the many places on which some of the more daring used to stand on to watch the mighty procession, the result of such great weigh meant total collapse of this local landmark, hurling people in all directions, thus falling on the people who were standing in the street below this grandstand.

The late Mr Robert Washer, who was twice mayor of this historical town in 1947 and 1948, was a true follower of Bridgwater Carnival, and there was an occasion when he was ill in Bridgwater Infirmary, when the carnival committee decide that the procession was to be diverted along Salmon Parade in order that he could view the entries from the infirmary.

Only the war has stopped the carnival, but the weather spoilt many a fine cart. A downpour of rain and wind until the early part of the evening threatened the postponement in 1951. but it carried on as usual. 

Many years ago, the town crier, by the name of John Fackrell, was sent found the town to announce a 24hr postponement because of the heavy rain, but before he had completed his tour the rain stopped, and the procession started 1hr later. Many people living in the surrounding villages did not know this and came into Bridgwater the next evening, only to be disappointed to learn that the carnival had taken place.

The first colour souvenir programme was in 1978 with pictures of the previous years winners, who were Vagabonds Carnival Club with 'Rag Time Rhythm' and Hinkley Point Carnival Club with 'King Ludwig's Journey of Fantasy'.

This followed in 1979 by putting the winners of 1978 on the the front cover in full cover, the name of the club that had the honour of being there first on the front cover of the Bridgwater Carnival souvenir programme was

Gremlins Carnival Club with their entry of 'Galactic Guardians'.

CARNIVAL HAS A CAST OF CHARACTERS .................

.....................................AND A CAST OF THOUSANDS.

The history of carnival continues to be written each year, but this is where TCT/Swift TV website section finishes, we hope we have given you a small insight

into the history of the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival .....................

All images are copyright of  TCT/Swift TV owners or its contributors 1965/2013+, and as such remain so. It is illegal to copy and use these images on another website without written permission from us.