I did'nt actually go this year but I have been going on and off for many years so i can imagine it was the same as it allways is, brilliant. some friends went and reported on the positive. Its one of the reasons why our carnival seems crap, how can you compete with pewsey its been going non stop for decades and has built up such a reputation.Pewsey is also well suited to holding a carnival with its narrow streets plus its dark. marlborough is just not suited to hold such an event. sad though it may be but I think the right decision was made to scrap the carnival who can be bothered except the dedicated few (not me thats for sure) just let it lye.
We wont be going back on the carnival thats for sure.....but a few pieces of info .......
3 years ago Marlboroughs carnival was actually bigger than Pewseys
This year Marlborough Carnival would have celebrated its 100th year
It was started as "Hospital week" and actually helped fund Savernake hospital along with all the other carnivals.
In the last 6 years Marlborough Carnival has given well over £30,000 to local charities and good causes and enabled others to raise money for their causes as well.
And as for the dark bit ..........the biggest carnival in the UK is held mostly during daylight......anyone heard of Notting Hill.
All Carnivals are having problems due to new regulations and a lot will dissapear......it would cost upwards of £20,000 to run Marlborough Csrnival next year and I dread to think how much Pewsey will cost to put on...so make the most of them while you can
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ive heard this rumour about three years ago marlb.carnival being bigger than pewseys before maybe the procession was although i have my doubts, but a procession alone does not make a carnival pewseys lasts 2 weeks with activities almost every night well attended ,the weelbarrow race is bigger than anything marlb. puts on and the celebrations go on until the wee hours, 10 mins after the procession has passed in our town you would'nt think there ever had been a carnival. It may be the 100 year aniversary but thats not continuos the earliest I can remember was 1972 the first for many years and then that was a walking processon only' I know I walked it. and as for notting hill one can't compare that kind of event with our little bumpkin carnival, celebrations start very early in the morning and go on for 24 hours although I Havn't managed to last thet long yet. I'm not trying to diss the organisers they have been brilliant but it still seems to me this town does not want a carnival
Agree with most of that .....Liked the piece in the paper today Quote "I don't think the organisers let the town down, I think they were let down by the town" .......that sums it up very well...... the carnival is the Town ......no community no carnival
Also says the MADT supported the Carnival....but apart from trying to find out what happened to the carnival donation from the fair on the common for us (council took it for rent) they did absolutley nothing.
Did you know that to force people to drink as part of a competion is illegal ......that's the reason there where no drink related competitions in Marlborough i.e. wheel barrow or even yard of ale........we did try to start one........trouble is all the authorities who leaned so heavily on us will now be looking elsewhere
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I'm a Dyslexic Agnostic Insomniac...
I sit up all night wondering if there really is a Dog