This resource has been put together to help new and existing carnivals organisers to use as a resource tool.

Carnivals make an important contribution to Somerset's cultural life and an impact on the community, as illustrated by the following report:

Carnivals and Renegeration report by Andrew Tallon, which includes Somerset in detail. See Resources section on the left.

Carnival Arts
http://www.carnivalarts.org.uk/resources
The UK Carnival Arts Centre website has an extensive resources section aimed at carnval organisers:

LEARN FROM OTHER CARNIVALS

Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival
http://www.bridgwatercarnival.org.uk/documentation.php

The carnival has put a lot of time and effort into ensuring exemplary planning and documentation of the carnival is available and has agreed to share the information with the users of this website. Visit the 'Documentation' section of their website, which has a wealth of information as outlined below.

Sample Documentation:
This page lists sample documentation that is used by Bridgwater Carnival in preparation for the annual carnival and may be useful as a reference for other organisations who are planning a similar event.

The documents are split down into four areas:

Administration

Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival as a Company Limited by Guarantee and also a Registered Charity has to be properly constituted, there are two main documents we have to have in place, examples of which are available below:

Memorandum & Articles of Association

Rules & Regulations

Procession

Contingency Plan

Traffic Management Plan

Road Closure Crew Guidelines

Road Closure Schedule

Junction Closures

Emergency Vehicle Location

Emergency Routes

Marshals Instructions

Carnival Guide Book - VSO

Collection

Bridgwater Carnival usually has in the region of 400 collectors so issue the following handout giving some guidance on how we would like our collectors to collect:

Collection Handout

Entries

Bridgwater Carnival usually attracts in the region of 130 competitive entries so we have to ensure that all entrants when completing their entry form are fully aware of their responsibilities in order to make the carnival safe and legal for everyone watching and taking part, we have to make sure that entries have adequate insurance and have obtained any necessary licenses in relation to copyright:

Procession Entry Form

Conditions of Entry