UK's oldest carnival gets new sheds to build carts

Chris Hocking says the current sheds used by Bridgwater Carnival clubs are no longer fit for purpose

The oldest carnival in the UK is getting new sheds to build its carts in.

Somerset Council has appointed Rigg Construction to help future-proof Bridgwater Carnival, the biggest illuminated carnival in Europe, by building new workshops on the current Bristol Road site.

This is where local clubs construct their spectacular carts that parade through the streets for the annual Guy Fawkes procession in November.

Chris Hocking from Bridgwater Carnival Committee, said the existing sheds on site were dilapidated and no longer fit for purpose.

"Some of the the walls aren't actually walls, they're made out of corrugated iron or old garage doors, anything that really would serve to keep out the wind and the rain as much as possible," Mr Hocking said.

"It's remarkable when you look at a shed like this just how well the carts come out at the end of the day," he added.

The current sheds were improvised and made out of different kinds of metal sheets

Bridgwater Carnival has been at the site for 30 years and has put up 10 sheds, which vary in size and height, with the largest reaching 60ft (18m) tall.

"In there, you've got engineering, carpentry, electrical work, the whole gambit of what goes into making a carnival cart," Mr Hocking said.

"Carnival has got so big now and the carts have got so spectacular, once one carnival ends we have to start making the next ones."

Bridgwater Carnival is the UK's oldest carnival and is visited by thousands of people each year

Somerset Council leader Bill Revans said the annual event was significant, not just for the town, but for Somerset and the South West.

"It has a proud history stretching back more than 150 years and by improving facilities for the hard-working and dedicated people involved we will continue to enjoy the spectacle for many years to come," he added.

The project will cost £4.9m, with a £3m contribution from the Bridgwater Town Deal Fund, £1.25m from the Somerset Community Foundation and £650,000 from Arts Council England.

The work is expected to be finished within a year.