‘Carnival Day’ commences at noon with a street procession of floats and walkers travelling from Wellington College, via Dukes Ride and the High Street to the Morgan Recreation Ground where there is entertainment to watch and stalls to browse throughout the afternoon.  If you are participating in the parade then this is what you need to know...

Assembling the Parade

On carnival day floats can start to arrive from 10.00am through the Maudant Gate.  This gate is at the east end of The Kilometre - accessed from Byron Drive (opposite Edgbarrow School).  Please advise us in advance if you have a particularly high sided vehicle.  Do not use the West Gate.  The security guard will not allow you access.

A marshal will meet you at Maudant Gate and direct you to your allocated area along The Kilometre.  Once there please park on the left hand side (facing West Gate), keeping the right hand side clear for other vehicles to pass.  Please keep all your participants to the left hand side well away from the carriageway.  You are allowed on the grass verge, but you must not walk on the cricket pitches or KM/Rockies.  

Parents participating in the parade

Parents who are participating in the parade should also access The Kilometre via Maudant Gate, to receive instructions.  Unfortunately there is no parking available to you within the College.

Parents dropping off children

Parents dropping off children are to park at the Health & Fitness Centre car park ('Grubbies').  This is accessed via Dukes Ride/Bowman Ct. (the road leading to Wellington Business Park, opposite Taylor & Co's shop).  You should walk your child to The Kilometre and then leave promptly to make space for other parents requiring parking.  Carnival marshal volunteers will be on site to advise.  Please do not walk across the sports pitches.

Judging

Everyone likes a parade! The joy of the cheering crowds, the bright colours, the raucous noise, and the sheer exuberance are at their most magical during a street procession. The shiny eyes of the little ones both along the route and on the floats make it all worthwhile, but a prize is always worth having!  

All floats/groups must be ready for judging by 11.30am.  A number of dignitaries (including mayors, MP, and other well-known local people) will judge the floats.

The winner in each category will receive a plaque and a certificate commemorating their achievement.

At the ‘village square’ in front of the library further judging takes place to select the best overall float in the procession. The winner is awarded the Procession Cup, to hold for two years. The winner’s name is engraved on the cup.

Set-off/Route

The parade will start to exit Wellington College by the West Gate at 12.00pm.  It's really important to hit this timetable, because our road closure arrangements are dependent upon this - and you don't want to keep your fans waiting!  The route will take you along Dukes Ride to the junction with the High Street, down the High Street and then left into Lower Broadmoor Road, where the parade disassembles.  Please try to keep the road clear as you get children off your vehicle.

Refreshments at Wellington College

There will be a coffee van on site and the college has allowed us access to the toilets at the Driver Room area (these will be signposted).

The role of the procession team

The Carnival procession team is tasked with prioritising the safety of the entrants, the public and other road users. They put up signage in the week before the procession, they close the roads, and have stewards and marshals along the route. But entrants still carry their own responsibilities for safety.  

The street collection 

Each float is asked to carry a collection bucket or two and to collect donations from the public along the route. Those carrying a bucket will be issued with a high-viz vest.  The funds collected are distributed amongst the good causes that have previously applied unless there is a shortfall in funds to pay for the procession.

General safety

Safety instructions and advice are given to each entry and stewards are on-hand to help. Qualified first aid assistance accompanies the procession and police and fire fighters are normally in attendance. Emergency contact numbers are distributed.

Emergency Vehicles

Should an emergency vehicle need to get past (or through) the parade then please move your vehicle and all participants to the left-hand side of the carriageway.

Rubbish

click here to see our recommendations on keeping waste to a minimum.

Timetable

11.00am All floats and walker participants in place and getting ready for judging.

11.30am Judging of the procession entries.

12 noon Carnival procession departs from Wellington College.  

1.15pm (approx.) Procession arrives at Morgan Recreation Ground

Questions?  Please click here to email me.

Sheila Tims

Event Organiser