GRANT funding from Wellington Town Council helped to provide extra medical cover for organisers of last year’s carnival.

Wellington Carnival committee’s vice-chairman Andy Thorne said the £1,000 council grant was hugely appreciated.

Mr Thorne, speaking at the council’s annual parish meeting on May 28, said that the funding helped the carnival committee to pay for the medical support which saw a field marquee put up and manned by qualified first-aiders who could deal with issues on-site.

Councillors heard how the carnival medical team was linked in to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton where they could – if needed – pick-up on 999 calls on the night of Wellington Carnival on September 28 last year.

Mr Thorne explained that there were nine medical incidents on the night of carnival which were dealt with – two of which were nothing to do with the procession or the crowds.

“The money the council gave us helped us to pay for the medical assistance,” said Mr Thorne.

It was back in April last year when the council agreed to make the £1,000 grant to the carnival organisers.

There was quite a long debate about the funding as the Carnivalites had initially asked for a £2,300 grant towards ongoing costs.

It was argued that the council had already earmarked £1,000 in its 2024-25 budget to support Wellington Carnival.

The then mayor, Cllr Marcus Barr, said: “The 2023 carnival in Wellington was absolutely amazing – one of the best the town has had for many years.

“If this grant application would make the difference between having a great carnival rather than a mediocre one, we should spend the money.

“Carnival brings people into the town and it helps to promote Wellington.”

However, councillors voted in favour of keeping to the £1,000 they had already agreed.