LESS than 48 hours after the bright lights and excitement fades on the South West’s largest funfair, the next annual highlight in the town’s busy Autumn events diary begins at Bridgwater Town Hall.

For this is when the curtain rises on this year’s Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Concerts.

The show, which starts its two-week run on Monday (September 30), is completely sold out, with all 3,600 tickets being snapped up by the end of August.

From what I am hearing, those who have managed to get their hands on a highly sought-after ticket are in for a real treat this year, and the judges are going to have an extremely difficult job in determining who the stage champions are going to be.

Through this column, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all carnival clubs, dance troupes and front-of-curtain acts who are appearing at this year’s Concerts the very best of luck.

People who have the courage and stamina to perform and entertain on a stage have my utmost admiration and respect.

As I have previously admitted in these pages, the thought of performing on a stage absolutely terrifies me, and I take my hat off to everyone with the fearlessness and confidence to do so.

Also, a big thank you to FCS International Shipping Ltd for sponsoring this year’s concerts. There is an infectious and excited buzz in the town during the Carnival Concert fortnight, and I do enjoy walking along the High Street to the Town Hall on performance nights.

I often wonder what others, who are not local and who just happen to be passing through the town, really think when they see a group of carnivalites, dressed in elaborate costumes and holding their stage props whilst drinking in the pubs or simply walking along the street to the town hall to perform.

For us, it’s not unusual, but for strangers to the town, it must feel a little odd and disconcerting to see a group of pirates or Vikings walking towards you and singing as they go.

Of course, it could only happen in Bridgwater, and once again reinforces just how deeply carnival is integrated into the everyday lives of the local community. Following the concerts, the next big annual event in the Bridgwater diary is our carnival procession on Saturday 2 November.

Preparations are beginning to ramp up for the big night, both for the carnival committee and the carnival club members.

All 1955 tickets in the 12 grandstands lining the route are already sold, although we do have some tickets remaining for the Hospitality package taking place at the Blake Hall, which do include a grandstand seat.

Tickets cost £70, and more information can be found on our website or from Mark Robson (mark@bridgwatercarnival.org.uk).

Again, thanks to Mike Morgan Electrical Services for sponsoring the hospitality grandstand.

And finally, we are receiving an influx of enquiries asking when the programmes for the Carnival Concerts and the Procession will be going on sale.

I can confirm both programmes are now with the printers and should be available to buy from the Carnival Centre from Monday 30 September.

Road programmes can be pre-ordered in advance from our online shop.

Both the programmes cost £3, and this year’s they are kindly sponsored by MEH Alliance. The countdown is well and truly underway!

Until the next time…