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Registered Office: ‘Unit 5 Moorlynch Vineyard, Moorlinch,  Nr Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 9DD
Company No : 2630887
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The history behind Glastonbury & Chilkwell Guy Fawkes Carnival dates as far back as 1854.

Points on origin of the Glastonbury Carnival

There appeared in the edition of the Central Somerset Gazette (CSG), dated 9th November 1854.

An organised Procession took place on the 5th November.  This appears to say  that there was a procession of carnival of some sort in 1854, thus giving rise to the point that the Glastonbury Carnival was established some 138 years’ ago.

There appears references to Carnival Processions over the years up to 1870 when the following letter appeared in the CSG.

Dear Sirs,

Our attention has been lately occupied by the report of the Government Inspector sent to Glastonbury to inspect the nuisance which exists in our Town. I mean such as one which occurred on Saturday night last.  THE FIRING OF SQUIBS and other things, exposing property to fire. If those entrusted with Law and Order in the Town will not do their duty, the sooner we get the stipendiary magistrate in their place the better.

Signed: A LOVER OF LAW  AND ORDER

We now come to 1875.
Bonfire Night was a decidedly  tame affair compared with other years, old hands have given way to youngsters and the result was anything but favourable to those who liked to see the anniversary kept up with ECLAT.  There was no procession (OBSERVERS WILL NOTE THIS REMARK, IT APPEARS THAT ALTHOUGH NO MENTION HAS BEEN MADE IN THE PRESS , THERE MUST HAVE BEEN PROCESSIONS HELD PREVIOUSLY).  No Guy and very few Tar Barrels. (This reference to Tar Barrels bears out the point that for many years it was the practice on the 5th November, to race down the High Street with lighted Tar Barrels.)


To read the history in its entirety as written by Ern Holley from history archives please click here