SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7th
CARNIVAL 2024 - A New Team
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After a final plea from the Council, in April this year a new team of volunteers came together to help put on Bishopstoke Carnival 2024. Despite the short timescale they committed to trying to stage Carnival in all its glory.
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An early decision was taken to not have river floats, but instead to bring back the parade. The event was also switched from its usual Sunday to Saturday 7th September.
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The schedule for the day was quickly put together and groups began to plan the various activities.
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Parade (parade@bishopstokecarnival.org) - run by Nic Bennett and Geoff Harris
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The Parade will start assembling at the bottom of Underwood Road from 9:30am, with judging taking place at 10:00am. There is a special category this year for the best family in fancy dress so if you want to help make the parade as big as it can be please do come down and join us. The parade will set off at 10:30am and head up Underwood Road. It will turn left and go along the whole of Hamilton Road before crossing into Portal Road and then heading into Glebe Meadow.
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Fete (fete@bishopstokecarnival.org) - run by Arielle Wilkes and Tom Callaway
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The Meadow will be open from 11:00am on Saturday with a range of stalls, rides, activities and entertainment for all to enjoy. After the parade prize-giving those watching the arena will be treated to a whole host of performances including the Pique Dance Show, a bubble show, music from the Serene Groove Syndicate, juggling, more music from Lloyd Gissing, more bubbles, synth music from Ghost in the Machine and to finish the entertainment, why not some more bubbles!
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After that the raffle will be drawn and this year there are loads of prizes so do make sure to buy your tickets and hang around for the draw at 4:00pm if you can.
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Duck Races - run by Neal Cook and Paul White
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Throughout the afternoon you will be able to nip across from the Meadow to Bishy Beach where our duck races will be taking place this year. Don't worry about the road in between as we have a road closure in place for your safety. Cheer on your favourite (plastic) duck as they race down the river and if you backed the winning bird then you can win a cash prize! The more ducks you buy, the more races we run so don't be shy.
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Everyone Else!!! - Louise Hillier-Wheal, Stewart MacLachlan, Andrew Smart, Cath Hibberd, Diana Goodyear, Josh Light, Melody Blackman, Emma Earl, Nicola Perkins, Rob White and Steve O'Connell
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Just because these people weren't in charge of a one of the main events doesn't mean they weren't all vital to the effort to bring Carnival to Bishopstoke this year. They have attended meetings, made decisions, found generators and extra vans, organised posters and social media and generally come together as a wonderful group of people committed to making sure Carnival is an amazing day.
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If you would like to join the team for next year then please contact one of us on Saturday, come to the Carnival gazebo in the Meadow, or just email events@bishopstokepc.org, We would love to have you join us!
CARNIVAL - WAYS TO HELP (PLANNING AND ORGANISING)
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To run the normal Carnival takes a group of people coming together regularly over the months leading up to it, to plan and organise the various different areas of Carnival.
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Carnival Chair - Someone to say when the meetings will happen and keep things focussed. To keep an eye on what is happening and what needs to happen next.
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Stalls - Ideally two people to make contact with previous stall holders to invite them to attend this year. To find ways of reaching out to new stall holders. To send out forms, chase insurance details and payments. To put together the map of where all the stalls will go on the Meadow on Carnival Day itself.
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Inflatables and Rides - Like stalls, ideally two people to contact organisations and companies with inflatables and / or other rides to invite them to come along. To negotiate the fees paid by the ride owners and ensure they are collected. To map out where everything will go on the day
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Food and drink - One person to deal with local food and drink providers to ensure there is sufficient provision but no clashes on the day itself. Ideally a minimum of a tea / coffee van, a burger van and an ice cream van, but it may be possible to add other foods and drink too.
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Admin - One person to deal with Council issues - authorising funding, submitting forms and taking notes at meetings. Also booking portaloos and first aid. This is usually someone from the Council,
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Water activities (River floats and Duck Races) - Ideally two people, one to focus on River Floats and the other on Duck Races. Contacting all local schools and youth groups to invite them to take part in the River Float competition. Organising judges and ensuring we have the required permission to use the river. Creating advertising for the event. To ensure we have sufficient ducks and all equipment needed to run duck races. Preparing any paperwork needed and organising pre-selling of ducks. Writing risk assessments and ensuring health and safety is planned for.
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Audio - One person to either source or provide music and sound systems to cover the whole site. Also to amplify those in the arena if needed.
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Arena - Ideally two people to contact various acts and displays to invite them to perform in the arena. Negotiating fees if necessary and communicating their needs to the rest of the team. Deciding arena size and ensuring the overall map can fit it in. Fancy dress competition if happening.
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Raffle - one person to liaise with local businesses to gather prizes for the raffle.
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As you can see, it takes a minimum of 9 people to plan and organise Carnival, but ideally there would be at least 12 because sometimes it isn't possible for a person to attend all the meetings and it would useful to have a second person from that area there to provide updates.
CARNIVAL - WAYS TO HELP (ON THE DAY)
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For anybody that cannot be part of the planning and organising there is always the chance to help out on the day itself.
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Glebe Meadow - At least two but ideally three people to arrive early so that those with lengthy set up times can be ready. Showing everyone to the correct place in the Meadow. Collecting any fees that have not been paid and resolving any disputes.
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Logistics - one person ensuring that things like gazebos, road closed signs and other things are in the right place at the right time.
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Arena - Two people. One to be the Master of Ceremonies, announcing performers and events, and reminding people about the duck races. One to ensure the events run smoothly, making sure the next act is ready and the current act stays to time.
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Carnival tent - One person to sell raffle tickets, provide information and be the centre for lost property and children.
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Audio - one person running the audio and making announcements.
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Water Activities - At least 5 people, better and safer with 6 or 7. Minimum two in the water positioning river floats and collecting ducks. One "water spotter" for safety purposes and to launch ducks. Two more to organise river floats as they arrive, collect scores from judges and later on sell ducks for races
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Marshals - At least 3 for the Meadow with another 4 if there is a road closure in place.
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So on the day we need at least 15 people but ideally we would have 20 or more.
CARNIVAL 2024 BOOKLET
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Please wait while the Carnival Pamphlet downloads below . . .