THE SOUTH Somerset Federation of Carnivals faces the same question every year - how is it going to pay for the next event?

This year, the chairmen from Taunton, Wellington, Chard and Ilminster carnivals are implementing a new initiative to support the costs of the illuminated processions each year.

One of the main problems is that money is lost every year to independent sellers travelling to the South West to sell merchandise such as LED toys and balloons, according to Chard Carnival chairman Jason Baker.

He said: “Thousands of pounds are lost to the carnival purse by people purchasing carnival merchandise, like LED toys and balloons, from pedlars, who travel from as far afield as the Midlands, and descend on our towns to sell these items and exploit the atmosphere we create.”

Now, the federation has decided to collectively purchase its own merchandise to sell during carnival nights.

Wellington Carnival chairman, Dave Rylatt, said: “Unless the people watching carnival work with us this year, carnival will end in Wellington.

“With costs of around £7K required to enable carnival to take place, and the average collection for the last few years of £3K, there are no complicated mathematics to consider here.

“The help we require is fairly simple. A, all we ask is that anyone wanting to purchase traditional carnival merchandise, like LED swords, toys, wands and balloons, does so only from official federation suppliers.

“There will be a range of merchandise on offer, and we can confidently assure you that goods purchased from official vendors will be of better quality and cheaper in price than those sold by the pedlars that descend on us.”

Kym Toms, Ilminster Carnival, said: “Most people will be surprised to learn that not a single penny of this independently sold merchandise comes back into carnival and ultimately, our local community groups and charities.

“The South Somerset Federation of Carnivals has joined together to purchase and sell various quality carnival merchandise at a cheaper price.”

Concern grows for the carnival each year as any money raised doesn’t cover the costs.

Merchandise will be available to purchase from stalls at each town throughout carnival day. There will also be a City Plumbing van with authorised sellers, wearing blue hi-vis tabards, selling merchandise along the carnival route before and during the processions.

The federation believes that selling this merchandise will not only solve its funding problem, but will also allow it to donate to charities and organisations in each carnival’s area.

The first carnival from the South Somerset Federation is Wellington Carnival on Saturday, September 24.