WELLINGTON is set to stage its biggest free show of the year on Saturday – the annual carnival.

Organisers say the event is humble compared with some of the bigger towns’ offerings such as Bridgwater – which attracts 150,000 visitors – but provides more than enough to keep the residents of Wellington and thousands of others entertained.

The main aim of Wellington Carnival, as well as providing entertainment to the crowds, is to raise money for local groups and charities. Dozens of charities will benefit from spectators’ generosity and the organisers hope everyone will dig deep into their pockets to keep the event going.

Chairman Dave Rylatt said: “At the end of the South Somerset Federation circuit – Wellington/Ilminster/Chard/Taunton – each town is summoned to a meeting held by the carnival clubs to discuss what went wrong and what went right but also to find out what each town was intending to donate to charities.

“If we fail to satisfy enough money being donated, the carnival clubs that provide our entries are likely to pull away from visiting our town which would have a spiral effect, thus ending our involvement. We hope to keep this 126-year-old tradition but can only do this with your help.”

As reported in last week’s WWN, the biggest change this year is that the South Somerset carnivals have joined together to sell carnival merchandise in an effort to stop tens of thousands of pounds leaving the towns, as pedlars come from as far afield as the Midlands. This will help preserve carnival for Wellington and divert this money back into the local community.

Mr Rylatt said: “If you purchase any LED toys or balloons from anyone selling from trolleys or on foot, this money does not go to carnival. Please only purchase these toys from official carnival sources, which will be available throughout the day in stalls set up in Rockwell Green and in the town, or from a van labelled ‘official seller’, which will transit through the town ahead of the carnival procession.

“We can assure you the merchandise will be good quality – we have a range of wands, sabres, windmills and cutlasses all for £4, flashing whistles priced at £2 and we have a range of helium balloons including Frozen, Spiderman, Minnie Mouse, Micky Mouse, Hello Kitty and Peppa Pig, again all priced at £4.”