A POPULAR carnival returned this month with its main procession taking place yesterday (Saturday, October 8).

Chard Carnival took place in 2021 but without traditional carts, and this year was finally back to normal.

Carnival’s week started on Sunday, October 2, and finished yesterday with its main, traditional procession.

The children’s carnival started at 10.45am at Manor Court School. The evening procession took place at 7.45pm from Tapstone Lane (the road leading to Tesco).

Other activities also took place to celebrate carnival week.

On October 2, there was a quiz at the Conservative Club, while on Monday, October 3, there was the beacon lighting at 6pm.

There was also a fun fair in Stringfellow park between Wednesday, October 5, and Saturday, October 8.

As well as this, Chard Carnival Committees’ annual street fayre took place on Saturday, September 10, with more than 50 stalls and live music throughout the day.

Information shared on the carnival’s Facebook page said: “Chard Carnival is an illuminated procession which takes place on the second Saturday in October, and raises money for local charities and organisations.

“In 1967, representatives from the League of Friends and Chard Youth Centre met to discuss ways in which to raise money for the respective groups. Gerald Quick, Mervyn Ball, Tom Miller, and Wendy Clulow decided that the best option would be to revive Chard Carnival, after a break of 13 years.

“The carnival has raised over £90,000 pounds for local charities and organisations, including The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Chard Christmas Lights, Children’s Hospice South West, Chard Hospital, and all the local schools.”

The photo gallery above shows some photos that were taken yesterday (Saturday, October 8) during the main procession, by Steve Richardson.