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October
20, 2005
Highbridge-based
carnival club puts finishing touches to its monster float
The
finishing touches are being made to one of the largest-ever carnival
floats to be built in Burnham-On-Sea or Highbridge.
Members
of Highbridge-based Hillview Juvenile Carnival Club are adding
the final light bulbs and applying a final coat of paint to their
giant 100ft long float, which is 17ft high and 11ft wide.
 Burnham-On-Sea.com
visited the team behind the monster float this week (pictured),
who have taken a year to build the vehicle at a cost of £12,000.
The
group has chosen fireworks as the theme this year - which is particularly
apt, as the club's Stuart Carpenter explained: "This year
is the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot and the carnival
circuit is celebrating, so we thought it would be great to mark
the occasion with a firework themed float."
"This
is by far the biggest float to be built in Burnham or Highbridge
for at least 15 years and it's certainly the biggest float that
we have ever built."
"There
are 9,000 light bulbs and it will use enough power to light up
a whole housing estate!"
The
club's 18 members and 12 builders have raised money to build the
float from scores of successful fundraising events during the
year.
"The
money's come in from everything from raffles and barbecues to
summer marshalling at events, such as the Glastonbury extravaganza,"
said Stuart.
The
group has high hopes of scooping prizes at this year's carnival
processions. It will be on parade at Bridgwater on Friday November
4th, North Petherton on Saturday November 5th, closely followed
by the Burnham and Highbridge Carnival on Monday November 7th,
plus all of the other big carnivals on the circuit.
The
group uses an area at the rear of the Bristol Bridge Inn for the
construction of its float. "We're very grateful indeed to
the pub's owners, Margaret, Jackie and family, for their incredible
support," said Stuart.
The
group is always looking for supporters, builders and other volunteers
who want to get involved. To help, call the club on 07889 114872.
RELATED
LINKS:
Burnham and Highbridge Carnival Information
What's On in Burnham-On-Sea
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