Porlock gearing up for annual carnival procession at the weekend

THE last remaining village carnival on Exmoor will go ahead in Porlock on Saturday (September 7) for a 38th year.

The procession will set off from High Bank at 6pm with Porlock’s town crier Grant Dennis and local fire crews leading a circuit through the centre of the village.

Side entertainment will be provided by stilt walkers, jugglers, a jazz band, samba band, a face painter, a balloon modeller, Punch and Judy, and Wellington Majorettes.

The presentation of cups and rosettes for the 12 classes will take place at 7.30pm in the village hall in the presence of the carnival queen Ayla Harrison, princess Isabella Campion, and prince Henry Ellicott.

All funds raised by the carnival will later be shared with local charities, organisations, and good causes, which should apply for a share to carnival chairman Robin Garden.

Funds to help cover the cost of the carnival came from the Porlock Duck Race which was held in May, and nearly 20 village businesses and organisations have agreed to sponsor the event.

Porlock’s carnival started in 1978 as part of the village’s celebrations for the late Queen Elizabeth’s silver jubilee and has been held annually since 1986.

Roads in Porlock will be closed for the procession and residents and visitors have been asked not to move their vehicles until the procession has returned through the village.

Car parking will be clearly signed as drivers reach the village along the A39 both from the Minehead and Porlock Hill directions.