| 2011 Below are several events taking place at the Bath & West Show Ground at Shepton Mallet. We are only 30 mins / 20 miles away so ideally situated. West Somerset Railway (WSR) contact 01643 704996) |
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Jan
2012 |
1st New Years Day (Sunday) - New Year Raffle (2nd part) - minimum 20 prizes |
Feb
2012 |
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March
2012
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17th Saturday - St Patricks Day - Why not come & join in our St Patrick Day Celebrations - future details to follow.
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April
2012 |
6th Good Friday 8th Easter Sunday - Childrens Egg Painting & Rolling competition - easter menu click here 9th Easter Monday |
May
2012 |
7th May Day Bank Holiday Monday
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June
2012 |
3rd - Jubilee Street Party and Disco at Bowdens Crest 4th & 5th - Spring Bank Holiday - date change due to Queens Jubilee 9th & 10th Langport Walking Festival Weekend |
July
2012 |
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August
2012 |
26th Battle Sedgemore Marathon, Langport 27th Autumn Bank Holiday Monday |
Sept
2012 |
8th S.L.A.M.M.S Cross country Marathon - start and finish Bowdens |
Oct
2012 |
BAR & KITCHEN CLOSED - 6th October 2012 until 25th October INCLUSIVE - Re-open Friday 26th October 2012
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Somerset Carnivals Bridgwater Carnival was the first carnival to take place & is now the biggest, attracting over 100,000 people to the event each year. It dates back to 1605 when Guy Fawkes infamously tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The annual event is always the first friday after Bonfire Night. However, this is a recent change it used to be on Thursdays. This brought about an end to a carnival tradition - 'Black Friday', whereby participants celebrated their hard work (with the consumption of alcohol) the day after the carnival. Many carnivals are struggling to survive as a lot of money is needed to keep them going. Strict health & safety regulations have added to the cost. The original Bridgwater celebrations featured a large bonfire built out of a large wooden boat to which around 100 tar barrels were set alight at the Cornhill. The tradition was stopped however due to the lack of old wooden boats to burn and because a number of good boats were thrown onto the fire and burned by revellers. CVlubs spend all year working on their carts, Effigies or 'guys' representing the gunpowder plot instigators were added to the fire by local groups of people known as 'gangs'. This turned into a procession which became more elaborate over the years: featuring costumes & music until this became a key feature of the event. Today, carnivals feature a parade of floats which are called carts and have people called 'masqueraders' who dance on them. They are large and elaborate and are built by local clubs - individually funded by charitable donations and sponsorship. The carts are built in members' free time on a voluntary basis and can cost around £20,000+. They are based on themes such as songs, Disney Characters and popular books. They are driven by tractors and require a large generator to provide enough power to light up the carts. Bridgwater Carnival is famous for 'squibbing' which is when fireworks are held aloft on the end of a long wooden handle called a 'cosh'. The squibs give off sparks like a roman candle. They used to end with a loud bang, however Health & Safety concerns have meant this does not happen anymore. |
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Nov
2012 |
PLEASE NOTE NEW DATES FOR 2012 CARNIVALS Saturday 3rd - Bridgwater Friday 9th - Weston Super Mare Saturday 10th - North Petherton Monday 12th - Highbridge & Burnham Wednesday 14th - Shepton Mallet Friday 16th - Wells Saturday 17th - Glastonbury |
Dec
2012 |
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