Carnival gives £3,500 to good causes

The cash was handed over at a special presentation evening at the Conservative Club on Sunday.

Trophies and cheques were also presented to the winning floats and walking entries from the carnival procession.

Carnival committee chairman Shaun Fox said: "It was a really good year this year thanks to our hardworking committee, even though there were a few problems along the way. Many people won't realise that we nearly didn't have a bonfire for torchlight because our insurance company was quoting silly prices. Then the Thursday before carnival they finally said they would cover it.

"But overall it went very well and we have made a profit meaning we can now give away over £3,500 to deserving causes thanks to the generosity of the Bridport community and visitors as a whole."

This year there were six main beneficiaries including Chancery House who received £300.

Monica Burt, of the day centre for older people, said: "We are delighted. We did enjoy helping and collecting, even if my bucket was too heavy to rattle down by the brewery at the end of the procession. The money will go towards just keeping Chancery House going and running on a day to day basis. It costs a lot to run and we are most grateful for this donation."

Bridport Youth Football received £300 towards training, equipment and kit while Bripdort Museum will spend its £300 on a new sign promoting the work of its local history centre. The National Childbirth Trust said their cheque would help keep the group afloat so it could make a difference to the lives of local mums and babies and Bradpole Church Pre-School will put its £300 towards flowers for their new garden.

Bridport Amateur Boxing Club also received £300 to help its team compete abroad.

Alan Slaney, of the club, said: "This money will be really well spent this year. We're going to Sweden, France, Belgium and Spain and taking a team from Bridport. The boxers are going to travel far and wide."

All of the beneficiaries are asked to provide helpers for carnival events.

The carnival committee also donated sums to the organisations, or their chosen charities, that help make carnival possible each year.

These included St John Ambulance, the Police Benevolent Fund, Fire Service Benevolent Fund, Yeovil District Marshals, 1st Bridport Scouts and the Coastguards.

Patrick Higgins, of Yeovil District Marshals thanked the committee. He said: "We are a voluntary group and will use our money for things like upgrading our radios and equipment.

"At the end of the financial year any money left over goes to charity, and this year we are supporting the Children's Hospice South West."

Mr Fox said: "Thank you to everyone. All are worthy of donations from carnival. We couldn't do any part of it without those who regularly help us. It goes to prove that Bridport Carnival is one hell of an event on the local calendar and supported by a lot of people."