About the Club
Sid Vale Carnival Club was founded in 1983 on the back of the Sid Vale Athletic Committee. We started creating feature carnival carts and are now the largest feature club in Devon.
As a club we have designed and built 37 carts, 26 of them winning the East Devon carnival circuit. We start the East Devon carnival circuit in September through until the end of October before travelling up to Somerset to participate in the Somerset circuit.
Two of the founders, Marion and Barry Perry from Sidford, had been involved in the running of the club since its inception right up until they sadly passed away.
“I think it was Sidmouth Lions”, Marion began. “They mentioned to some of the athletic club that they wanted to get the carnival scene going again. It was a chance comment really, but we just thought why not? It was a complete gamble and we knew we were putting ourselves into a lot of hard work, but we thought we’d give it a shot. Hard work is perhaps an understatement. The planning and construction of the float, as well as numerous fundraising schemes to accumulate the necessary capital, is a full time commitment.”
Hundreds of man hours are involved in creating the carnival cart each year and many skills are needed to help get ready for the first carnival of the year.
NOVEMBER
Once the cart comes off the road at the end of November, the stripping starts and discussions on the next idea. Each year several designs are submitted from various members and discussions start on the construction, music and costumes.
JANUARY
In January the fundraising calendar for the year is confirmed and the theme is decided. Scaffolding is put up in the shed and construction starts on the roof whilst the rest of the cart is stripped. Ply wood also starts to have an undercoat ready for models to be created.
APRIL
Fundraising is in full swing with monthly coffee mornings and jumble sales as well as seasonal bingos. By this point, the music has usually been decided and costumes are being put together for all personnel going on the float. Construction of the cart continues with different colours of paint being added and moving parts starting to be run.
JUNE
Fundraising continues and costumes are completed. Dance rehearsals start at the end of June which starts the countdown to Seaton Carnival.
AUGUST
With under a month to go, shed hours increase and VSO (Vehicle Special Order) Inspections start. The float is pulled out and the brakes are tested. Dance rehearsals come to an end and costumes are altered after the dress rehearsal on the cart. Weekends are spent down the cart and finishing touches are being made.
SEPTEMBER
The final push starts the Friday before Seaton Carnival and construction continues overnight until the cart is pulled out late Seaton morning. Brake tests are completed and the cart makes it way to the line up.
NOVEMBER
By November, the East Devon carnivals have been completed and the the float goes up to Somerset to take part in some of the Guy Fawkes carnivals. Once carnivals are finished in November, the cart is taken back to the shed and the whole process starts again for the upcoming year!
DECEMBER
Carnival is complete for the season and awards have been collected! Once the partying and celebrating has finished, it’s onto the next one!
