Burnham-On-Sea’s Hillview Carnival Club is this week putting the finishing touches to the technically most ambitious cart in its 36-year history.
Burnham-On-Sea.com has this week taken an exclusive first look behind the scenes at the club’s huge float, which will go on show at next month’s Highbridge and Burnham Carnival.
This year’s cart is called ‘One Way Ticket’ and has a transport theme featuring a colourful array of trains, fire engines, planes and unicycles.
Decorated with over 10,000 light bulbs, many of which are environmentally-friendly, the cart has cost the club around £12,000 to build.
Hillview’s Chairman, Mark Bishop, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This year’s cart is our most technically ambitious entry ever. It has over 80 moving parts including clowns, cowboys and various vehicles.”
“Our engineers, Matt Aron Ben Smith, have done a fantastic job and we’re all really looking forward to displaying the entry on the carnival circuit.”
Mark said Hillview has again had to watch every penny it has spent this year. “The float is costing us almost £12,000 which, during a recession, is a lot of money to find.”
“The support we’ve had is tremendous. We’ve had strong backing from local supporters, including many of the parents of our younger members, who’ve played an active role in fundraising.”
“With their help, we’ve actually managed to raise more money this year than last.”
“Local businesses continue to support us through thick and thin and we’re particularly grateful for the support of Woodberry Brothers and the Bristol Bridge Inn who have allowed us to build the cart on their premises.”
The cart will go on show to the public for the first time at Bridgwater Carnival on Friday November 4th and it will then come home to Burnham for the town’s carnival on Monday November 7th.
The team of fifteen have this week been busily painting large sections of the cart’s sides, as pictured, as the wood exterior takes shape.
Hillview’s volunteers are also creating costumes for the group’s young members who will be performing on the float.
Hillview is hopeful that it can do well this year, but the members don’t want to raise expectations too high.
“We’ll be delighted if we do well, but it’s the taking part that is so important to us and bringing smiles to people’s faces along the carnival routes,” said Mark.
RELATED LINKS:
Guide to Burnham-On-Sea Carnival 2011
