Warminster Carnival goes ahead despite torrential rain

After heavy rain for most of the afternoon, the downpour stopped with minutes to go before the start of the Warminster Carnival to the delight of entrants, organisers, and spectators alike.

Sam Ryall said: "Thank you so much everyone. Can you believe it didn't rain during the procession! Miracles do happen. Thank you to everyone who supported us."

Thankful the rain eased: Warminster Mayor Cllr Philip Keeble who chose to walk the carnival route. Photo: Trevor Porter 70315-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Town mayor councillor Philip Keeble was looking forward to heading the annual carnival walking the route but at one stage it looked like he would be a passenger taking to the route in a car.

He said: “I am delighted the rain has stopped as the event is recognised by many to be county’s best-illuminated carnival and I’m pleased to be taking part on foot.”

The heavy rain was not a setback for the town’s carnival royalty. They had the advantage of being in the dry thanks to a covered float borrowed from the Midsomer Norton Carnival.

Making the carnival in the comfort of his shop van was carpet trader Andrew Davis, taking part in his 40th and last carnival in his entry appropriately entitled ‘End of the Road’. 

He said: “I always enter the carnival as a trade entrant in my van decorated in several different guises, but this year is my last as I am taking the van off the road.”

End of the road for regular carnival entrant Andrew Davis who is taking his van off the road which will end his 40-year carnival career. Photo: Trevor Porter 70315-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

One of the few groups to pull out was the Wiltshire Caledonian Pipes and Drum, who said: "We would like to apologise to all, the weather was too bad for us to play.

"The pipes and drums cost a lot of money so we had to make the tough decision on the bus not to play."

Warminster Carnival is the last event of the year in the Wessex Carnival Circuit competition. It attracts entrants in big carts and numerous walkers of all ages competing for prizes.

Carnival chairman Sandra Mayor was pleased with the number of entrants at the event which is held at the end of October each year.

She said: “Our procession always attracts the most colourful floats as it is often used by many carnival clubs as a run-through for those taking part in the Somerset series.”

The Oasis Carnival Club’s entry ‘Heart of Oak‘ won the tableaux class after making its first appearance prior to the Somerset Circuit Series. Photo:=Trevor Porter 70315-22 (Image: Trevor Porter 70315-22)

Making their appearance for the first time this season was Frome-based Oasis Carnival Club with their outstanding tableaux entry ‘Heart of Oak’ as a shakedown down for the illuminated series in Somerset.

Another entry to impress the judges was the Magnum’s Carnival Club’s colourful tableaux entry ‘Shortest Day’.

Shortest Day by Magnum Carnival Club took second place in the open tableaux class. Photo: Trevor Porter 70315-7 (Image: Trevor Porter)