The Carnivals In Somerset Promotion Project (CISPP) was formed early in 2009 by a small group of carnival folk who were very concerned that the unique heritage of our Somerset Illuminated Carnivals could be lost in the future unless efforts were made to encourage more people to take part.

Huge amounts of funds have been spent nationwide on “Outdoor Celebratory Events” but carnival clubs and town Committees, all bar a couple,  have been told we do not qualify for grants because we do not employ people or want to build/conserve buildings.   We have however, gained recognition from the Arts Council SW and continue to receive their support and will continue to seek out new available funding to make sure the carnival heritage of Somerset continues.

Traditional Somerset carnivals have been overlooked as a  valuable community resource, which voluntarily provides training and acquisition of many skills for people of all ages.  Skills used in carnival is not unlike a complete project, from sketched cart ideas, costume design, electrics and electronics, painting and artwork, sewing, carpentry, welding, every little detail is important to the final product.

The key is promotion through Education and Marketing, by being involved with schools encouraging children to learn about its heritage and by attending local events with the Promotion van.

CISPP – OUR WORK IN SCHOOLS

Cispp can offer primary schools an exhibition showing how carnivals evolved in our part of the world. We can tell the story of the history of our carnivals beginning with Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

We tell the history of your local carnival covering how people all over England welcomed back the troops from the First World War.

To discover what we do, visit our next page Work In Schools