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Sarah Dyke (Glastonbury and Somerton) (LD)
I beg to move,
That this House has considered Government support for carnivals.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Harris. I thank the Backbench Business Committee for scheduling this important debate.
Carnivals have been celebrated in Somerset for over 400 years and continue to be wonderful celebrations that are of economic, social and cultural importance to the country. They are part of the fabric of so many communities: it is estimated that across the country, 220 traditional English carnivals still take place each year. They are often aligned with saints’ days or events in the agricultural calendar, which reflects their origin as part of England’s cultural life. Across our nation, carnivals promote cultural inclusivity and multiculturalism, as can be seen at the Notting Hill carnival, which welcomes over 1 million spectators annually.
Last Friday, I was pleased to bring local carnival club members, committee members and stakeholders together at a roundtable event in Glastonbury. It was a pleasure to meet so many dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to make Somerset’s illuminated carnivals so special. I am grateful to everyone who took the time to share their experiences, concerns and hopes for the future. Carnival is their passion, and it is their deep commitment to it that keeps the much-loved tradition alive. The number of hours that each club and each committee puts into building and maintaining their carts and organising each carnival is simply astounding. Mini Sheppard, a member of the Mendip Vale carnival club, spends six nights a week committed to assisting local carnival clubs, while building and maintaining carts. That highlights the level of commitment that club and committee members give to carnival, as do so many others. For most people involved in carnival, this dedication spans decades; for some, it is a lifetime.
In Somerset, the tradition of carnival originates from Guy Fawkes’s foiled Catholic gunpowder plot of 1605. From those roots, carnivals continue to be an integral part of Somerset’s cultural identity. West country carnivals are unique in being illuminated night-time winter events organised solely by local volunteers. Nigel Clarke from Wells City carnival committee told me that
“it is our love for this tradition that binds the whole community together.”
Illuminated carnival parades occur in more than 30 towns across Somerset between August and November. The most famous are the magnificent seven of the Somerset county Guy Fawkes circuit. This fantastic circuit starts in Bridgwater and concludes with Glastonbury carnival, which will be held this year on 21 November. Glastonbury carnival celebrations can be dated back to at least the mid-19th century. Records show that in the 1840s, bonfires and a carnival were organised by the “bonfire boys”. A turning point in the attitude to Glastonbury’s carnival celebrations came in 1920, when the Chilkwell Guy Fawkes carnival committee was formed.
Other carnivals in my constituency are Wincanton and Castle Cary, which are both part of the Wessex grand prix circuit. The circuit was the brainchild of Keith Berry of Frome carnival association and Gordon Stockman of Castle Cary carnival society, and I am pleased to say that this year it celebrates its 41st year.
Given illuminated carnivals’ unique place in British history, they must feature on the UK’s inventory of living heritage. It is incumbent on the Government to ensure that they remain a living part of our heritage and are not allowed to disappear from Somerset’s streets.
Not only are carnivals a cherished, integral part of Somerset’s cultural identity, they are economically significant to our region. Across the south-west, culture plays an important role in the regional economy. It is estimated to be worth over £1 billion annually, with Somerset’s carnival season generating over £40 million every year. The events provide a major boost to local businesses, with carnivals generating a large increase in footfall that supports the hospitality, catering, retail, leisure and entertainment sectors. Hazel DeGregorio, the chairperson of Glastonbury Chilkwell carnival, told me that more than 400,000 spectators attended the seven Somerset county carnivals in 2025, with more than 100,000 visitors gathering in Glastonbury for the day of the Chilkwell carnival. I can attest to that as I was there, and it was the most wonderful procession.
The magnificent seven of the Somerset county Guy Fawkes circuit contribute more than £4 million each year to Somerset’s economy. The tourism sector is huge for the west country’s economy, and illuminated carnivals help to sustain that economic activity during the winter months, bringing visitors and spending into rural communities during the quieter tourist off-season.
The benefits are not only economic, but charitable. Since 1980, more than £2 million has been raised through street collections at the seven Somerset carnivals, with much of that money supporting local charities and community groups. Behind every carnival are the clubs and committees that work tirelessly all year round, fundraising, building carts and organising processions, while feeding back into the local economy at every step. When we talk about Somerset’s illuminated carnivals, we are not only talking about spectacle, culture and tradition. We are also talking about jobs, businesses, tourism, charity and community investment.
Tessa Munt (Wells and Mendip Hills) (LD)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Harris. I do not know whether you have had the opportunity to visit any of the Somerset carnivals, but they are spectacular and huge. One of the magnificent seven is, of course, Wells, and the second in my patch is Shepton Mallet. As my hon. Friend was saying, they not only contribute to cultural life but have an absolutely huge number of volunteers. They work on making carnival carts all year round, engaging young people in the activity. It is fantastic that so many young people—literally hundreds and hundreds—get involved in building the carts. They really are a spectacle, and I invite you to come down to Somerset to have a look. You will not see anything else like it anywhere else in the country.
Sarah Dyke
I thank my hon. Friend for her contribution—it was not really a question. I wholeheartedly endorse her offer of a visit to carnival in Somerset; it is a spectacular sight, as she rightly points out. I will come on to her point about the importance of young people continuing to be a part of the tradition, and about the skills that they can learn by getting involved in carnival.
Despite the economic significance of carnivals to Somerset and the wider south-west, carnival clubs and organising committees face rising costs that threaten their long-term sustainability. The cost of participation has increased significantly: it now costs more than £30,000 to put one single illuminated cart on the road during a procession. The costs include materials, fuel—another significant cost that will increase this year, as we know—tractor and generator hire, insurance and health and safety compliance. All those costs have risen and continue to rise.
Historically, carnival clubs have sustained themselves through a combination of membership fees, local fundraising and sponsorship from local businesses, but with small businesses navigating a challenging fiscal landscape, many simply cannot afford to sponsor local clubs, no matter how much they value them. Given those challenges, I would welcome it if the Minister outlined how the Government plan to safeguard the viability of Somerset’s illuminated carnivals, and whether they recognise the financial damage that losing them would inflict on our regional economy.
Carnival committees also face increases in the cost of insurance, licences, safety infrastructure and prize money. Paul Burch, the entries secretary and lead organiser of Castle Cary and Ansford carnival society, told me that the cost of organising and running its carnival is likely to rise from £9,000 in 2022 to more than £13,000 this year. The carnival in Wincanton, in the east of my constituency, was revived by John Sansom in 1977, but sadly had to stop in 2009 for six years because of a number of financial restrictions. Thankfully, a local committee was formed in 2015 to bring back that much-loved carnival.
Volunteers are key to running successful carnivals, but with fewer volunteers available, some carnival committees, such as Castle Cary’s, are now forced to pay professional marshalling costs to assist with manning the road closures. For smaller carnival committees, the costs are even more crippling. South Somerset carnival park committee’s costs, which cover insurance, first aid, radio hire, barriers and road closures, now exceed £6,000 and are rising. These growing costs place enormous pressure on those volunteers and committees.
A key reason why carnival committees are struggling is the sharp decline in money raised through street collections. For generations, collections taken along the carnival routes would help to cover the cost of events, with a significant remainder donated to local charities. Reg Cohen, president of Glastonbury Chilkwell carnival, tells me that collections have been falling year on year, with the coins and notes that once filled collection buckets becoming far less common in an increasingly cashless society.
Those who went to carnivals years ago will remember throwing coins at a cart as it was going by. As we go out with less and less cash in our pockets, that happens less and less. Carnival committees in Somerset have attempted to adapt by introducing QR codes and digital donations, but in many of Somerset’s rural towns, unreliable mobile signals make that almost impossible. It is also very difficult logistically, because spectators simply do not want to be doing all that while they are at a carnival procession; they want to be watching the amazing illuminated carts go by.
Tessa Munt
My hon. Friend is making a brilliant speech. I thank her and my friend the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Dan Aldridge) for bringing this debate to Westminster Hall, because it is a really important issue. I have been a carnival collector for years. I carry two buckets. In years gone past, it was almost impossible to carry them because they were so heavy with coins. Everyone used to save their pennies, tuppences and fivepence and tenpence pieces, but now there is very little of that money saved across a year. First, that is because things are tight: it is hard to live, so people need every penny that they can get. Secondly, as my hon. Friend mentioned, there is a lack of wi-fi. In fact, in parts of Shepton Mallet and particularly in the city of Wells—
Carolyn Harris (in the Chair)
Order. May I ask the hon. Member to come to her question?
Tessa Munt
Almost the whole of the way east of Wells is without any wi-fi, even for those who live there. That makes things incredibly difficult. Does my hon. Friend agree?
Sarah Dyke
I certainly do agree, and I thank my hon. Friend for her question this time. She makes a very good point: the income that was brought in buckets and thrown on the carts once sustained carnivals. Now, it does not go far enough to cover the cost of running them, especially with all the additional associated costs.
That concern has led to leading club and committee members in my constituency, including John Dando of Glastonbury carnival committee, Sue and Gordon Stockman of Cary Comedians carnival club and Dr Andrew Tallon of Mendip Vale carnival club, founding the Carnivals in Somerset Promotion Project to protect this unique tradition and prevent it from disappearing, which could happen unless urgent efforts are made to widen participation and increase support. I thank them for founding that brilliant project to keep our brilliant carnivals alive.
I would like to highlight not only what carnival clubs bring to Somerset’s culture and economy, but the opportunities they bring to members. At my roundtable, people told me about the vital practical, teamworking and social skills they gained, along with skills in engineering, electrical, carpentry, costume design, event organisation, publicity and accounting, to name but a few opportunities on offer within the carnival environment. Those are all vital, hands-on skills that can translate directly into future careers for younger members. That is particularly important in rural areas such as Somerset, where opportunities for practical learning and apprenticeships have diminished. For young people for whom the traditional education system just is not suitable, carnivals provide an outlet to develop skills, learn from experienced volunteers and contribute to their community.
In Somerset, 7% of 16 to 18-year-olds are not in education, employment or training, which is above the national average. Sally Taylor from Wick carnival club in Glastonbury stressed the role that clubs play in helping young people with SEND to gain skills and opportunities, but for that to continue, we must make sure that carnival clubs can access safe and secure premises from which they can operate. Kym Tomms from South Somerset Carnival Park noted that two clubs on the south Somerset circuit face closure, as they do not have adequate physical space to run their clubs. One currently has outdoor storage space only, while the other faces the expiry of its shed lease next year. Following more than a decade of negotiations, planning permission has finally been granted for South Somerset Carnival Park to build a new storage shed on the Dillington estate for four carnival clubs. These facilities are not simply workshops; they are community and educational hubs. Although planning permission has been secured, the clubs must now raise the funds to construct the sheds—a process that organisers say could take years and obviously adds financial pressure.
Carnival clubs across the region are facing umpteen barriers when seeking permission for the industrial-sized units needed to build their carts. We need a planning system that supports local enterprise and recognises when development will bring benefit to communities. Supporting carnivals and carnival clubs is an investment in transferable skills, strengthening communities and providing opportunities for young people.
Health and safety is absolutely paramount for carnival clubs and carnival committees. Since the late 1990s, organisers have rightly seen increased regulations designed to protect participants, spectators and volunteers. Since the covid-19 pandemic, sadly, Somerset council has not held any safety advisory group meetings prior to carnival season that include all the relevant stakeholders. Avon and Somerset police operational planning specialist Andy Newland told me that reimplementing this advisory group is key to enable these important discussions.
Due to the crisis in local authority funding, Somerset council has been forced to move to a risk assessment approach. That is why I am calling for councils to be subject to a statutory requirement to hold safety advisory group meetings with all relevant stakeholders ahead of carnival. With support from central Government for local cultural events, we can make sure that our carnivals remain safe and well-organised celebrations for years to come.
In the 1990s, Avon and Somerset police introduced a vehicle special order specifying the height, weight and length of a cart, known as “the box”. Diane from Harlequin carnival club told me that the approach has levelled the playing field for clubs in competition, as they are all building to the same dimensions, while also seeking to improve public safety. That is a good thing, but the restrictions have diminished the creativity and flexibility that carnival clubs rely on when designing the carts and the fabulously themed productions. For example, if a performer’s arm movement goes too far outside the box, that is a breach of the safety restrictions that have been imposed. Although I understand why the regulations on the box are in place while the cart is being transported along the highways outside of a procession, it is really important that we are able to flex the regulations to make sure that, while the carnival is in procession, it is as spectacular as possible.
To achieve the right balance between safety and expression, I implore the Minister to bring together the Vehicle Certification Agency and carnival clubs and committees in Somerset, so that they can voice their concerns. The clubs and committees are not opposed to the regulations and support sensible restrictions—they themselves called for stronger safety regulations to professionalise carnivals in the late 1990s—but they must be fair and developed in co-ordination with those looking to keep this tradition alive.
Carnivals are a wonderful example of community cohesion, brought to fruition by the hard work and commitment of local volunteers. They bring people together across communities, as they have for hundreds of years, and we must make sure that they continue to do so in the future. Put simply, carnival is part of Somerset’s DNA, so I hope that we can secure its long-term future.
Carolyn Harris (in the Chair)
I call the co-sponsor of the debate, Dan Aldridge.
Dan Aldridge (Weston-super-Mare) (Lab)
Thank you, Mrs Harris; it is an honour to serve under your chairship.
I am grateful to the hon. Members for Glastonbury and Somerton (Sarah Dyke) and for Wells and Mendip Hills (Tessa Munt), whose passion for Somerset carnivals and communities I share, for their hard work in securing this debate. I am also grateful to see the Minister in her place. It was a pleasure to welcome her to Weston-super-Mare last year, so that she could launch her appointment as tourism Minister at the Grand Pier. It really mattered and meant a lot to my constituents that she chose my town, which is long overdue serious Government attention and investment. I thank her for that. It speaks to my values, which I believe this Government also hold dear, and to the reason that I fought to represent the town I love back in 2024.
We believe in these communities because we are them, and we need them to succeed. In this job, when we do something important, it can be all too easy to whizz by and think, “Right, what next?” but the debate on this topic matters. No Member of Parliament has previously considered Weston carnival as worthy of note, but an event so impressive and integral to my town’s identity and Somerset’s rich heritage deserves to be recognised, so I am proud to be the first Member of Parliament to talk about Weston carnival in this place.
I have thought a lot about the importance to my family of carnival and all the memories it has given us over the years. One annual tradition is for my mother to say that she is, “not going in this weather”, only to rally at the last minute with a pint of Thatcher’s—well done, Mum. Another is trying to find my sisters, nephews and niece, who insist on setting up camp at one end of town despite knowing that I like the other end of town, and getting across town is a bit of a battle. I am always grateful that my brother lives in town, so I can use his loo—and sometimes dry off—as the parade goes past. While my family try to find each other, we always end up finding and hugging friends, some of whom we see only at carnival because we have busy lives and it is difficult, so that is really important to us. The shops, bars and pubs also stay open to share these experiences with customers and friends.
Having thought it through, I find carnival has been there for some of the biggest moments of my life: as a boost and a distraction during some really sad family bereavements, as something to do when I had no money—that was the case for a few years—and as the background to some of the biggest decisions of my life, not least when a good friend floated the idea that I might want to be Weston’s MP, although that is a story to dissect at a later date. That is just some of the history I share with the carnival; the number of such stories across my town would be incalculable.
Carnival speaks to something fundamental in us all: the need for not only community, but light and joy in the cold winter months. The electric lights and loud music of the carts may be modern, but the spirit of carnival is rooted in something instinctive, human and ancient, just like our historic county. It is about not only resilience and community but defiance and rebellion, allowing us to shake off normality, let loose and extend the season that starts with Halloween and trick-or-treating. Weston carnival is also part of the run-up to Christmas, which I think is why I love it so much. When the Christmas carts come by, I will be singing and dancing to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You”. That tradition will live for evermore.
The relationship every person has with carnival is both personal, and shared across their community. That is part of what makes carnival special: it is for everybody, and everyone has their own memories, stories and traditions. It also maintains a deeply local feel, even though it would not look out of place in a Disney or Universal Studios production. When friends visit for carnival, they are blown away. They cannot believe that it is not as globally renowned as carnivals in Rio and Venice. Some people might sneer at that, but they should come and see it before they judge.
Interestingly, however, our best-kept local secret has started to get out. People have started to notice it on Instagram and TikTok. Millions across the world are starting to watch it, and the insights about where people are logging in from show that it sometimes correlates to where other carnivals are. People are interested in what is happening, and I really hope that that translates into them coming and visiting.
I will play favourites when it comes to Weston carnival, as I expect my colleagues will about their carnivals. We all genuinely believe that ours is the best, because place and community matter far more than some might think or believe. In a world of increasing disconnection, carnival is a beautiful, bright, singing, dancing advert for the power of human connection. We put it at risk at our peril. None the less, it is fair to say that to love my carnival is to love them all, because they are an interconnected ecosystem. They all depend on each other, and on a network of thousands of volunteers and families with skills and passion passed down through generations. They maintain, innovate and deliver jaw-dropping, heart-pumping “wow” factor year on year.
For children, going to carnival with their parents is a thing of wonder. It is the most amazing thing to watch young children with their families have these bright eyes and be so in awe of it. It is beautiful, but it is also fun to go with friends for the first time as a teenager—that is a rite of passage. Families stand side by side on the route, parents with bags of snacks and children with light-up toys that are immediately regretted as soon as they get in the car to go home. Every square inch of pavement in Weston is taken up by people who love our carnival, who love the town and who love each other. Those moments stay with you, and they speak to the deep sense of belonging that carnival creates and sustains.
I will talk briefly about the practical importance of carnival for our community. From young children to great-grandparents, people learn from each other, teaching and gaining practical experience in costume design, choreography and theatrical make-up. It is also a huge engineering feat. I really love that Weston college is starting to tap into that and see it as a strategic piece of infrastructure in the town, giving students practical experience in electrical engineering, metalwork, carpentry and construction. Those are exactly the skills that our future economy needs, and they are forged in coastal and rural towns that have been overlooked too often and for too long.
Many of us who represent seaside towns argue for money and strategies to help develop skills, attract investment and build year-round economies. In Weston-super-Mare and across Somerset, we already have a powerful part of the answer—not holding out a begging bowl, but saying, “We want to do this in partnership.” Despite our carnival still flying somewhat under the national radar, it draws more than 400,000 visitors from a worldwide audience, adding to the thousands of residents who turn out loyally year in, year out, bringing vital footfall at a time when coastal businesses need it the most.
Weston carnival is not simply a local spectacle; it has national and international significance as one of the largest illuminated processions in Europe. The thing I find most special about it is that it is built not by companies and corporate giants but by local people, who give their time and talent freely. Young people see their work light up the night for the first time and see the real, tangible impact of hard graft. Ties are built and strengthened across generations by thousands of hours of voluntary effort, building something shared that the whole town, county and country can be proud of.
Brilliant charities participate and raise funds, local businesses sponsor the carnival and dedicated volunteers, including a number of my friends, stay way past the event to clear up the litter when everyone has gone home. As a plea to everybody: make sure you clear up your litter and dispose of it appropriately; do not leave it for volunteers to pick up. But for those volunteers, no sooner has the year’s carnival finished than they are preparing for the next one. That hard work goes on year in, year out and year round. I thank them; they are seen, and they are appreciated.
Carnival is the largest annual event in Weston-super-Mare and a major regional mass participation event. For an event that receives no external funding support, built and run entirely by volunteers and organised by the Weston carnival committee, it is a living, breathing testament to the human spirit and the strength of community. Last year alone, Weston carnival volunteers raised more than £21,000 for local charities and helped to foster a powerful sense of civic pride.
Yet there remains a clear gap between what carnival towns contribute and the support they receive. The UK’s creative industries generate more than £100 billion a year—indeed, they are one of the eight critical sectors in the industrial strategy—yet in Weston that creative power is sustained almost entirely by volunteers, who face rising safety, insurance and infrastructure costs. There is limited access to the funding frameworks available to other cultural institutions, and often a lack of skills and knowledge about how to access them.
If we are serious about growth that is felt across all our communities, investment cannot be confined to summer tourism and hospitality. We must back the wonderful things, such as carnival, that already exist. We must play to our strengths. If we do, coastal economies and towns such as mine can grow sustainably and thrive for the next generation. Those towns matter. It is up to all of us in this place who represent towns to use our voices effectively and collectively to build the case for a better settlement that looks to our unique strengths and does not simply see us as subsidiaries of cities.
Carnival is heritage and soul. It is our unique town culture writ large. It is skills and business, it is community support—and it is real life. It is proof that towns such as Weston are primed to unlock the full creative and economic potential that all of us who are rooted there see in bucketloads. We just need the right engagement and support. Let us back the creators and community champions who step up and do the work to build the community they want to see. I urge my colleagues, the Minister, the Government, the House and the country to see the Weston and Somerset carnivals, and towns such as mine, in those terms.
Rachel Hopkins (Luton South and South Bedfordshire) (Lab)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Harris. I thank the hon. Member for Glastonbury and Somerton (Sarah Dyke) and my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (Dan Aldridge) for securing this debate on carnivals and for the fantastic speeches that have already been made.
In Luton South and South Bedfordshire there is a long history of processions to mark important events, celebrations and protests, bringing communities together. In Luton they date back as far as the 1400s, when guild feasts were a common feature of local culture. In the South Bedfordshire part of my constituency, many of the villages still participate in the traditional May fairs, which date back to medieval times and mark the beginning of spring. I have been delighted to attend community events in Studham and Kensworth, which are full of fun, with schoolchildren dancing around the traditional maypole, music, community spirit and just good times.
In Luton, carnival goes back a long way, but it is slightly different. In May 1976, we held the first Luton carnival as we know it, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Luton becoming a borough. To give away a little secret, I was there as a very small child, with my mum and the other members of the Luton Labour women’s council, who hosted one of the stalls in the street fair. From that small beginning, the carnival has quickly become a significant annual celebration, showcasing the rich mix of cultures that call Luton home. It particularly spotlights the influence and impact of our Luton Caribbean community, many of whom came to the UK as part of the Windrush generation and found their home in Luton, as well as the cultural influence of our African diaspora. Growing up, carnival was an institution, the classic scene that all hon. Members can imagine: up the side streets, stacks of speakers, loud music and everyone having a good time, getting food on one corner and seeing the costumes of the parade on the other.
In 2012, Luton International Carnival was officially recognised as the biggest one-day carnival in the UK. That legacy remains, with the event still one of the biggest annual events of the calendar—a true representation of unity, music and culture that embodies the spirit of our Luton community. I am proud to have the UK Centre for Carnival Arts, a registered charity and Arts Council national portfolio organisation, in my constituency. It is dedicated to promoting excellence in carnival arts, championing the work of carnival groups across the UK and connecting, inspiring and strengthening the carnival arts sector.
Our carnival is a symbol of everything that makes our town special, celebrating our diverse heritage, our energy and, importantly, our togetherness, making us one town full of many voices. There is no greater evidence for that than the wide-ranging list of participants who join the celebrations alongside our Caribbean groups such as the St Vincent and the Grenadines: the Luton branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, Luton Roma Trust, Luton Irish Forum, Luton Keralites Association, United Nations Associations—Luton, Luton Malayali Muslim Association and Purbachal—The Eastern Sky, to name just a few.
This year, our carnival is even more significant, as we celebrate the 50th annual Luton International Carnival on Sunday 24 May, which of course coincides with Luton’s 150th anniversary year as a borough. To mark this occasion, this year’s theme is “gold”—of course it is—with participants showcasing their creativity by celebrating bold and imaginative designs inspired by gold. The procession will travel from Luton town centre down to Wardown Park, which was the original and traditional location for much of the carnival’s history.
The impact of the carnival and what it symbolises have been passed from generation to generation in our town. Last June, I was delighted to host the brother and sister duo of Luton filmmakers, Niya and Jadean, in Parliament for a screening of their film, “Beyond The Rush”. The film, developed in collaboration with the British Film Institute documentary society, explored the vital impact of the Caribbean community on our economy, nightlife and cultural scene in Luton, from the Windrush generation to the present day, including key cultural events such as Luton International Carnival. It was great to bring young, local talent from Luton to display this brilliant piece of work in Westminster, featuring some fantastic members of our Luton Caribbean community, and to highlight the enduring legacy of Luton’s carnival in our local community.
As has already been said in this debate, carnivals are more than just a great day of cultural and creative fun; they have economic, social, educational and community cohesion benefits. I look forward to joining people from across Luton at this year’s 50th celebration carnival, and I am sure this carnival will be even more epic than last year’s.
Victoria Collins (Harpenden and Berkhamsted) (LD)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Harris, and it has been a real pleasure to hear about the different carnivals today; I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Glastonbury and Somerton (Sarah Dyke) and the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Dan Aldridge) for that. I am sure everyone here, and everyone listening, has taken note of all the carnivals that we have to visit this year—and, of course, that everyone will remember to clean up their litter afterwards.
Carnivals are quite special to me, Mrs Harris, but not for the reason you might expect. In my last year at Durham University, the first house party that my flatmates and I had was carnival-themed, and henceforth we were known as “House Carnival”. The five other girls that I lived with got me through a dissertation, last-year exams and heartbreak, and we have been best friends for life. Almost 20 years later—that sounds far too long; I do not want to believe it!—we are still close friends who gather for the weekend, even from across the UK. But I digress—I may come back to that.
Carnivals are also special to the people of Harpenden and Berkhamsted—and, as we have heard, to people all across the country. We heard from my hon. Friend the Member for Glastonbury and Somerton, and from across the Chamber today, about the celebration of multiculturalism, the carnival clubs, and the volunteers who dedicate hours of their lives to them and that history that is so special. I loved what she said about not just the importance of a living heritage and the stories that it tells of our past, our present and our future, but the opportunities and challenges; there is the wonder of carnival, but also the practicality around it—the skills and what we learn.
The hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare shared beautiful stories of those celebrated family memories—that light and joy. I loved hearing him talk about shaking off normality; I think we all need a little bit more of that. He also reminded us that carnivals bring people together not only locally but globally, and of that idea of a rite of passage—that, actually, it is not just being there, but being present, because either we have taken part or someone we know has—and how special that is.
The hon. Member for Luton South and South Bedfordshire (Rachel Hopkins) is not far away from my patch. Given the history and the fantastic multiculturalism that she mentioned, especially with the Caribbean and Ukrainian communities who are integral to that, means that I have noted down the 50th Luton International Carnival for this year.
In Harpenden and Berkhamsted, we have our Tring summer carnival, organised by Tring Together, where people are sure to be offered some award-winning beers from Tring Brewery, or Puddingstone Distillery’s Campfire Gin—I have a little bit of that in my cupboard. They can hear from Tring Music Partnership, Tring school’s swing band and Tring’s glee club, see the Tring Youth Theatre Project and Tring Shotokan karate club, and have input from the youth town council in Tring.
I thank Tring Together, the many dedicated volunteers across this country, and stalwarts such as Vivianne Child. Tring Together works with the Tring Team Parish and the Tring town council, but it is involved in much more than just the carnival—the Tring Business Mart, the Spring Fayre, Tring cinema, Group Action and the Christmas festival. In Tring, we also have the Apple Parade, led by Mr and Mrs Green and supported by Sustainable Tring. That is something to celebrate. This weekend—sadly, I cannot make it—we have the Tring Spring FEASTival. In Harpenden, we have the summer carnival, the Christmas carnival, and all the other joyous occasions that bring the town together. As has been mentioned today, these events also raise money for local charities and support so much of our community.
In Berkhamsted, we may not have a carnival by name, but we have BerkoFest. BerkoFest was where I first met John from Herts Welcome Refugees, who was in Parliament just yesterday—it brings so many of us together. It is also where I heard the world-class violinist Nikita Vikhorova from Odessa in Ukraine, just a few months after we lamented Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the war that, sadly, still continues.
We also have the festival of light with Berkhamsted town council, bringing joy and festivities and filling the 800-year-old St Peter’s church with candles for a magical evening. In Aldbury, we have the May fair, a wonderful summer day with beautiful colours and the “May Queen”. It is just so special. All those traditions represent, as I said and as has been mentioned, the history, the present and tomorrow.
On behalf of other hon. Members, I will mention Somerset, where the carnival tradition stretches back hundreds of years and is one of the most distinctive and cherished cultural traditions in the south-west. It is important to note for the record that Somerset carnival, which runs across four circuits and draws around 150,000 people each year, is a carnival of carts, not floats—I believe that has been mentioned, and that it is a small but important distinction.
The modern carnival raises vital funds, and the circuit passes through Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea and Midsomer Norton. My hon. Friend the Member for Frome and East Somerset (Anna Sabine), who could not be here today, tells me that the year’s standout achievement went to the Huckyduck carnival club, which won the overall tableau category with its cart “Scarecrow Partea”, achieving maximum points at all seven carnivals on the circuit—a remarkable achievement and testament to the dedication and craft involved.
This is a timely debate, however, because that tradition faces a real challenge. It is largely kept alive by the older generation, with their concerted effort and their knowledge, skill and passion, which are so vital but risk being lost. My question to the Minister, which I think has been asked already, is, “What more can be done through arts funding, heritage programmes and community support to help to pass this tradition to the next generation before it is too late?” Each of these town and regional carnivals reflects its own characteristics and community.
Carnivals bring together people of all ages and backgrounds. Just like “House Carnival”, which brought me joy, comfort and community and helped to bring out the best in me, carnivals across this country do the same for communities, and we must do what we can to support them. I hope that today has inspired many more to get involved and to visit their carnival, and I look forward to hearing from the Minister.
Sir Ashley Fox (Bridgwater) (Con)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Harris. I thank my Somerset neighbour, the hon. Member for Glastonbury and Somerton (Sarah Dyke), for opening this debate and describing how important carnivals are to Somerset’s culture, life and economy. My neighbour in north Somerset, the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Dan Aldridge), made an excellent contribution, highlighting how important carnival is to our communities across Somerset. I also thank the hon. Member for Luton South and South Bedfordshire (Rachel Hopkins) for reminding us that there are thriving carnivals outside Somerset as well.
I am delighted to respond to this debate, because the Guy Fawkes carnival in Bridgwater is the oldest of its kind in our country. We can trace its history back to the famous gunpowder plot of 1605; Parliament decreed the lighting of bonfires in memory of the event, and the people of Bridgwater embraced the tradition with some enthusiasm. Perhaps that was because Bridgwater was strongly Protestant, or perhaps it was because they were fans of their elected parliamentarians—I appreciate that may seem unlikely to today’s Members of Parliament. Whatever the reason, those early celebrations eventually grew into the magnificent spectacle that now takes to the streets of Bridgwater each year on the first Saturday of November and then continues across Somerset.
Unfortunately, the earliest years were not well recorded, as local newspapers did not appear in the town until the mid-19th century. Luckily, once journalistic records started in 1847, we can trace the development of the carnival more clearly, making it clear that Bridgwater Guy Fawkes carnival is the oldest event of its kind in the United Kingdom. In those days, celebrations centred around a huge bonfire on the Cornhill in the centre of the town. People from all corners of Bridgwater would parade to the fire, often in costume. However, in 1880, the parade descended into disorder and rioting—it is believed that alcohol may have played a part in this. A letter written by Mr Frank Squire to the Bridgwater Mercury—which is still our town’s newspaper—provided a solution: he suggested forming a controlling committee and organising an official procession so that the magnificent costumes could be seen throughout the town. The idea garnered significant support among residents of the town and the very next year the first carnival, as we would recognise it today, took place. We now have the longest-running carnival in the country, and that is why we are proud to call Bridgwater the home of carnival. It has been my pleasure, as Bridgwater’s MP, to visit the sheds where the carts are built, attend the carnival concerts and watch the spectacular performances, to watch the magnificent carnival as it moves slowly through the town—and finally, to take part in the squibbing.
If you have not witnessed it, Mrs Harris, squibbing has nothing to do with Harry Potter; it involves simultaneously lighting a great many fireworks attached to coshes and up to 150 squibbers holding them overhead. I want to pay tribute to the many volunteers who make costumes, rehearse their acts, construct their carts, judge the entries, raise funds, and undertake the many other hundreds of tasks that are necessary to put on this fantastic spectacle. I particularly thank Dave Creedy, the president of the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes carnival, and his committee for their tireless work. Thanks also to the many carnival clubs within my constituency. I pay tribute to Bridgwater Belles, British Flag, Cavaliers, Centurion, Crusaders, Gremlins, Griffens, Lime Kiln, Marina Sydenham Juvenile, Marketeers, Newmarket, Hill View, Pentathlon, Ramblers, Renegades, Toppers, Vagabonds, Westonzoyland, Wilfs and Wills. I doubt any other constituency has more carnival clubs than Bridgwater.
While carnivals are an extraordinary spectacle that attract hundreds of thousands of tourists to Somerset’s towns every year, they are increasingly expensive to run. The cost of insurance increases every year. Then there are the costs of compliance with regulations, the cost of diesel and of disposing of waste, and how His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs does not allow VAT relief on all the related expenditure that is necessary for the carnival to fulfil its charitable goals.
The Minister will be pleased to hear me say that these problems did not start in 2024, but they do increase little by little each year. The cumulative effect is to make life more difficult for the great teams of volunteers who put in so much work to run our carnivals across Britain. Will the Minister confirm that the Government value our carnivals? Does she acknowledge the contribution that they make to encouraging volunteering and to engaging young and old alike in community projects, to raising money for charity and boosting tourism? Will she commit to working on a cross-party basis to ensure that this great tradition is able to continue for another 180 years?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Harris. I congratulate the hon. Member for Glastonbury and Somerton (Sarah Dyke) and my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (Dan Aldridge) on securing this important debate and for the powerful way in which they have spoken about their constituencies and the distinctive long-standing cultural tradition of illuminated carnivals. All hon. Members who have contributed to this debate have spoken with such passion. I will address some of the direct points put to me before talking about how carnivals impact the arts and tourism.
As we have heard, the west country carnival circuits are a spectacular annual celebration dating back to the 17th century. They represent far more than local custom; they bring in visitors and are a valuable source of income. I congratulate the hon. Member for Glastonbury and Somerton on her continued advocacy for carnivals, including the Glastonbury carnival, and for the roundtable she held in her constituency this month. She spoke about the passionate commitment of everyone who attended that and, indeed, she referenced the magnificent seven carnivals and their impact on things such as charity, tourism, culture, volunteering and the community. She made an important point about skills and volunteering, which I will touch on later.
The hon. Member put points to me about costs, including material, fuel, tractors and insurance. I acknowledge that and the shadow spokesperson, the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Sir Ashley Fox) made that point as well. The hon. Member for Glastonbury and Somerton spoke about fundraising, membership fees and sponsorship, and increasing challenges. We live in an increasingly cashless society, and we have seen a roughly 15% reduction in the use of cash since 2017. That is something the Government are aware of. The hon. Member also made a specific point about safety advisory groups. The Government issue best practice, which is co-ordinated by the Cabinet Office, but it is a matter for local government. I will write to her about that specific point, as it might be useful.
My hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare rightly stated that my first visit as the Minister for Tourism was to his constituency, and I was delighted to visit. I had the pleasure of meeting local tourism and hospitality leaders, as well as the dedicated team at the Grand Pier. I thank him for his kind words and his warm welcome. The visit made it incredibly clear to me how vital the visitor economy is to the spirit and economy of the west country. I wish all those at the Weston-super-Mare carnival continued success and I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for being the first in this place to speak about that carnival. He spoke passionately about the carnival ecosystem and how it inspires younger people. Indeed, it inspires those of all ages, as the shadow spokesperson rightly pointed out.
It was good to hear from the shadow spokesperson, and I know he takes a keen interest in this subject. He asked a question at oral questions a few weeks ago and I am delighted that I will meet him soon to discuss the matter further. The Bridgwater carnival is part of the west country carnival circuit, and the magnificent seven procession travels from his constituency to Glastonbury. He spoke about his constituency being “the home of carnival”.
My hon. Friend the Member for Luton South and South Bedfordshire (Rachel Hopkins) spoke about the history in her area, dating back to the 1400s. She also asked a question on this topic at Culture, Media and Sport questions—it was a popular subject. She spoke about the UK Centre for Carnival Arts in Luton. It is the first dedicated facility for professional development, production and celebration of carnival culture. That is really important and it is the driving force behind the Luton International Carnival, which my hon. Friend spoke so passionately about.
Every year, carnival draws thousands of visitors. It is not just a show; it supports the local economy and brings the community together. It is a unique form of living history. Both Arts Council England and the national lottery project grants have supported vital initiatives around the carnival, including community workshops, school programmes and the development of key skills, such as costume making and set design. As an art form rich in cultural heritage and global influence, the Government continue to fund carnival arts right across the country via their grant-in-aid investment in Arts Council England. My hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare raised a point about access to funding. It might be helpful if I write to all hon. Members in the debate about how carnival can bid for and access funding. I will make sure my Department writes to each hon. Member here after the debate.
As part of a transformative £1.5 billion package over the course of this Parliament, the Government provided a 5% funding uplift to key national arts organisations. That means organisations, such as the UK Centre for Carnival Arts in Luton and the St Pauls carnival in Bristol, are funded as part of the Arts Council’s national portfolio. The funding supports a broad ecosystem beyond the incredible shows. It supports creative workshops, master classes around events and, of course, the unforgettable original costume designs and live music. The Government’s arts everywhere ambition ensures that carnival is not merely a seasonal event, but a sophisticated year-round art form that supports places to thrive, generating millions of pounds in benefits and telling our nations’ stories.
The next generation of carnival artists are being cultivated and supported through Arts Council England investment in organisations such as Global Grooves in Tameside, which transforms the lives of young people by immersing them in the world of carnival. Through its dedicated future leaders programme at the Vale youth hub, it bridges the gap between community tradition and professional skills development, offering hands-on experiences in costume design, puppetry and dance.
Government support helps to ensure that the vibrant heart of carnival continues. The organisations that I mentioned are amazing examples of how our national story moved from community practice to national policy in 2024, when the UK ratified UNESCO’s 2003 convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage. Intangible cultural heritage, or living heritage, matters because those traditions are the threads that weave us together. They provide a way to celebrate our incredible diversity, which can turn strangers into a community through shared song, craft and celebration.
This debate is important because of the impact that carnival has on tourism and the visitor economy, not just on the arts. Our ambition is clear: we want to welcome 50 million international visitors annually by 2030. But we recognise that numbers alone are not the measure of success. We must ensure that those visitors stay longer and explore further, reaching beyond our major hubs and into the rural and coastal heartlands. That is something that we will acknowledge and celebrate next week in English Tourism Week. To do that, we understand that sustaining regional growth requires more visitors. We want to be passionate, and carnivals play an incredibly important role. I also want to recognise the huge impact that volunteers have in carnivals. A number of Members have made incredibly important points, so I will end by paying tribute to all Members and the vital role that carnivals play.
Sarah Dyke
I thank all hon. Members for their contributions and give special thanks to the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Dan Aldridge), who co-sponsored the debate alongside me. As has been outlined, carnivals are a distinctive and important part of British cultural heritage. For many in Somerset, they are a key point of celebration throughout the year. I appreciate the Minister’s supportive comments recognising the value that they bring and extend an invitation to her and you, Mrs Harris, to join me at Glastonbury carnival on 21 November. You will be very welcome there.
We must make sure that carnivals across the UK are supported, and I hope that today’s debate will help us focus our minds on the work that is needed to ensure that these celebrations take place long into the future. I hope the debate has illuminated to this place the special social, cultural and economic importance of carnivals to Somerset. Let us keep their lights on. To finish, it seems appropriate to quote Robbie Williams: let us make sure that they are “Back for Good” and let us make sure that we let them “entertain you”.
Question put and agreed to.
Resolved,
That this House has considered Government support for carnivals.