BRIDGWATER Guys Fawkes Carnival is to receive £54,117 thanks to the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund.

Despite cancelling the 2021 celebrations, the organisation and carnival clubs clubs still face financial expenditure for insurances, utility services, maintenance of premises and more.

Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival’s chairman, Dave Croker, said the funding will help the carnival to recover from the pandemic.

“Covid-19 restrictions have affected the ability of the organising committee and local carnival clubs to raise funds, not just to cover the costs required to stage carnival events and to create the amazing carnival entries, but also to meet our ongoing day-to-day financial commitments," he said.

"Bills still have to be paid for the likes of insurance, electricity, rent and maintenance.

"Carnival has had to dip into its reserves to meet some of these commitments and this grant will help us to recover from the effects of the pandemic much quicker and prepare for the day when normal carnival activities return.”

Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival is among 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards.

Glastonbury Festival is set to receive £900,000 to help the festival continue in 2021 with two smaller events this year, as well as to carry the festival through to 2022.

Michael and Emily Eavis said: "We’re extremely grateful to be offered a significant award from the Culture Recovery Fund.

"After losing millions from the cancellation of our last two festivals, this grant will make a huge difference in helping to secure our future."

In Sedgemoor, Midnight Mango is to receive a grant of £33,376; The Princess Theatre in Burnham-on-Sea is set to receive £27,356 and The Pyro Studio Ltd is to receive £55,753.

Cllr Louise Parkin, from Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge Town Council said: “This is a huge achievement, this award ensures The Princess can go from strength to strength and - that our work for the past year and plans for the future are in line with Arts Council strategies and taking us in the right direction.

"The Government has shown the creative industries how much they value their work and we are very grateful for that.”

In Somerset West and Taunton, the Creative Innovation Centre CIC is to receive £34, 254; South West Heritage Trust will receive £63,500; Taunton Theatre Association (who run The Brewhouse Theatre) will receive £96,878; The Production Boutique will receive £68,700 and Watchet Live CIC will receive £75,000.

In Mendip, Frome Cheese & Grain will receive £47,000; Hordern Ciani Ltd will receive £34, 406; Jackdaws Music Education Trust will receive £25,474; Shangrila Glastonbury Ltd will receive £30,500; The International Music Exchange will receive £25,000 and The Rubbish Art Project will receive £28,000.

In South Somerset, Fuse Performance will receive £42,360; The Octagon Theatre will receive £165,000 and Wassail Theatre Compny will receive £34,600.

The second round of the Culture Recovery Fund brings the Government's total investment across grants, capital and repayable finance so far to more than £1.2 billion across over 5,000 individual cultural and heritage organisations and sites.

The first round of grants and repayable finance totalling more than £800 million were allocated to ensure the immediate survival of 3,800 cultural organisations and heritage sites across the country.

This second tranche of funding builds on the lifeline grants already awarded to support museums, theatres, performance venues, historic sites and cinemas as they reopen to audiences and visitors throughout the spring and summer.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they've ever faced.

“Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors - helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”