Carnival loses funding after council budget cuts

More than 150,000 people attend the carnival each year

A world-famous annual carnival has lost funding following a decision by its local council.

Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, which attracts more than 150,000 visitors, had the funding for its portable toilets and barriers removed by Somerset Council.

Sedgemoor District Council funded the carnival in the past, however Somerset Council took over in April 2023.

A Bridgwater Carnival Committee spokesperson said: “We are looking at other sources of funding, but would not run a carnival without safety barriers and public toilets."

'Extremely disappointed'

Mr Chris Hocking, one of the carnival's non-executive directors said: “We were extremely disappointed to learn that Somerset Council intends to remove, in its entirety, the very small annual grant which we previously received from the former Sedgemoor District Council.”

However Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts explained: “It is very disappointing that we are having to consider savings such as these, and especially where there has been such a long history of council support.

“We are, however, required to consider any and all options that help the council meet its statutory obligations for the most vulnerable in our communities.”

The carnival procession begins on the A39 Bath Road, moves down the A38 Broadway and turns onto St Mary Street, finishing on Mount Street.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the carnival is live streamed to more than 50,000 viewers.