THE Chard-based Eclipse CC banished their memories of disappointment of seven days previously to light up the night sky on their home turf procession.

Eclipse brought up the rear of the Chard Carnival on Saturday (October 10, 2015) with their entry Madagascar Europe’s Most Wanted.

 

For huge picture gallery, click here.

 

There might have been an early scare when the Eclipse cart struggled to get around from Tapstone Road into East Street, but once that problem was overcome there was no stopping the gang members from putting on a great show at the Circus Zaragoza with the theme tune of I Like to Move It, Move It!

Despite their best efforts, however, it was the incredible Harlequin CC, from Ilminster, and their amazing Fogg’s World Tour cart which took the feature award and the largest clutch of trophies from the Carnival.

They will take some beating on the South Somerset Carnival Federation – which closes this coming Saturday (October 17, 2015) at Taunton – and then they will be a major player on the Guy Fawkes Carnival Circuit next month, kicking off at Bridgwater on November 7.

Harlequin’s big rivals, Gemini CC, won the tableau category with Scott’s Terra Nova and they too will be hoping to do well on the Guy Fawkes Circuit.

But there was a lot more to Chard Carnival than the big three of Harlequin, Gemini and Eclipse.

There is a lot of work goes into the procession from those leading clubs right down to the individual masqueraders and majorette troupes.

They all work hard to ensure they put on a good display and help to make Carnival the successful and fun-filled night it always is.

Thankfully the weather stayed perfectly dry for the procession and Chard Carnival Committee chairman Andy Chant was overall pleased with how it went – despite their being a few unexpected delays in the procession.

“The actual procession started on time and ran as smoothly as expected,” he said. “But we had a medical emergency in East Street which required assistance and then we had a cat go under a small float and wedged itself around the top of the axle which obviously needed to be sorted.

“And then finally we had the problem with Eclipse at the roundabout by Tesco, but thankfully the road crew of Eclipse got them moving again.

“All in all I’m very proud of Chard Carnival Committee and thank them for their support over the last year.”

The Carnival started with a convoy of Harley Davidson motorcyclists – a first for the Chard procession.

Andy hopes this will become an annual feature and grow in size.

At the head of the parade was the Chard Royalty with Amy Winter as Miss Chard, Abi Winter as Princess and Ellie Lacey as Attendant. who looked as if they were really enjoying their big night.

Also near the front of the procession and waving pom-poms for the crowd was Chard Mayor, Cllr Dave Bulmer, and a number of other visiting civic dignitaries getting into the Carnival fun.