Bridgewater Carnival

[Graciefer]

I know this is a long shot, but I would like to take my 2 DS's to Bridgewater carnival this year and wondered if there is any Bridgewater locals on here that could give me a few tips.

Such as parking for the disabled, suggested areas to watch the parade (DS1 uses a maclaren major, DS2 is 7 weeks old so will be in his pram) and any other hints or tips you think may be useful to us on the evening.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Graciefer

You need Peachy! She is carnival expert extraordinaire.

Can you let me know how you get on? We're planning to take DS1 to Wells this year (same floats I think) but are leaving DS2 at home as people have told me the noise makes your stomach reverberate! But DS2 does love lights and stuff, so he might enjoy it - he's worse with high pitched noise and sometimes doesn't even seem to notice loud sounds.

Sphil, you know Glastonbury has a disabled area? (wells may too but am Marshalling at glastonbury- might be easier?)

Carnival extroadinaire? Moi? until you get to Dh's level of obsession.....

Garaciefer- hiya!

Have been taking the boys all their lives, sometimes to watch me, usually to watch their dad. Last few years they've performed in the slightly smaller ones but a year out this year whilst PG.

parking is available in lots of places if you turn up early, some of the Supermarkets put it on and there are plenty of those in bridgwater (no second E! LOL), also if you get stuck, if you CAT me i'll let you have my mobile- we're there are will be able to help, you'd be able to aprk outside Mums no doubt.

Will be baack toa nswer rest later- Paed appt! lots of solutions for you though 9and some experiences over ASD kids and carnival too)

When are all these carnivals?

Thanks for your help Peachy, I have been to Bridgwater Carnival a few times myself, but not since I have had the children.

I was also considering going to North Petherton on the Saturday night as I heard they have all the same entrants but less spectators so is therefore a little less hectic a maybe easier with prams/pushchairs.

What is your thoughts on this?

Thanks for the help and I hope the Paed appointment goes/has gone fine today.

Grace

Needmorecoffee, the dates for this years carnivals are:

09/11/2007 - Bridgwater

10/11/2007 - North Petherton

12/11/2007 - Highbridge & Burnham-on-Sea

14/11/2007 - Shepton Mallet

15/11/2007 - Midsomer Norton & District

16/11/2007 - Wells City

17/11/2007 - Glastonbury & Chilkwell

19/11/2007 - Weston-super-Mare

Hope this helps.

Sorry to intrude Peachy just wanted to thank you for your accommodation recommendations in Bridgwater. Was just what we were looking for.

Same entrants at all of them yes, North Pethy is quite nice I think BUT parking can be a nigtmare. If it doesn't have to be a weekend, Shepton also has the same show, but nobody seems to go- by far the quietest to watch chidlren imo. Seriously, last time I was on a big float at Shepton I was dancing to sheep in some
places!

The flaots can be really noisy- earplugs are usually handed out to the kids on the float. The noisiest by far is usually ge,mni who by chance aren't putting out a float cart thsi year (walking) and although their sound engineer is a little bit sound nuts (a mate of DH's LOL), even he must be toning it down with no generator to cover up! DS1 isn't bothered at all by noise from the floats (but then he's been raised iwth it, helping out with building and performing etc)- ds3 does get a bit edgy, but we find after a bit he's OK. The ahrdest part perhaps is the waiting for it all to start- which is why I would suggest watching on Bath Road or Monouth Street, as town centre can get a bit hectic imo. We always watch on Monmouth Street anyhow, but because its near the start the wait is less. North petherton is a straight through carnival, so literallya s you walk up the rute just grab a palce- its often less delayed anywayfor that reason. It does have a nice atmosphere as well, and because all the carts (carts is the proper bridgy name y'know have ahd anight out, they tend to be more reliable and issues ironed out. You geta few more entries as well, because some of the other circuits come down for a 'last dance'.

NMC- your kids would love it I reckon if you could get down!

I shall put up a few links in a minute- hang on

(Stary- glad I could help )

movie gallery on here is good (2001 griffens I am Jester at abck , ds's on Rascals floats all years up to now- Dh seems to be on most floats since 1831- OK mainly masqueraders)

great site, and the kid who runs it has physical Sn so most suitable for bragging about on thsi section- fab bloke.

BTW Sphil, if ds is into lights you must grab DH sometime- that's his speciality, the lights and all that.

If anyone considering it but not sure happy to lend a DVD for peoole to guage it a bit.

I rest my case - you ARE the carnival queen extraordinaire!
I didn't know about the disabled area - will certainly investigate. Can't go to Glastonbury this year because it's the same day as my sister's birthday party, which is why we thought Wells. Though Shepton might be a possibility, given what you've said. I like the sound of just us and some sheep

You don't have any inside info about parking and where to watch in Wells I suppose?

We really must arrange a meet up sometime!

Thanks Peachy for you helpful tips and hints, I think we will stick with the bridgwater one. really looking forward to it and just know DS1 is gonna love it!!

Just about to leave for tonights Carnival, hope everyone has a great time, thanks again.

Let us know how you get on!

We had an absolutely fabulous time, despite a few hiccups which meant we didn't arrive in Bridgwater until 6.45pm, parking around 2 miles from the route and getting lost up some dark muddy track after being told it would be quicker if we walked alongside the towpath of the canel.

Because we were so late we ended up standing at the end of the route, right outside Morrisons. This worked out really well as we had lots of space and didn't have to worry about DS1 kicking people from his MMajor.

It was quite a wait for the carnival to reach us, but definately worth it, DS1 was mesmerised by all the music, lights and spinny things.

We didn't get home until 1.30am and our legs are aching after all the walking, but I would definately recommend the carnival to anyone who hasn't been before.

Mental note to self: next year leave earlier and bring some fold up seats, lol.

Oh forgot to add, got MIL to look after DS2 for the evening, really glad we did as I thought I would of been able to go back to the car to feed him etc, but this would of been impossible.

And he had new casts on both his legs in the morning and they seem to stay damp for the whole day, so he would of ended up getting pnemonia or something.