RICHARD PARR Wells Carnival is just weeks away and organisers have been busy ensuring its going to be bigger and better than ever.

RICHARD PARR

Wells Carnival is just weeks away and organisers have been busy ensuring its going to be bigger and better than ever.

As usual in the packed programme of events from July 29 to August 6 there will be something old, something new, something borrowed and this year something definitely blue!

For the first time the Carnival committee is bringing top international comedian Jimmy Jones to the Carnival for an adults only evening of comedy and music at the Alderman Peel High School.

The show has proved so popular that organiser James Platten says there are only a handful of tickets remaining for the evening on July 29.

Old favourites from previous years appear in the programme of more than 60 separate events, many of them offering free admission.

One of the new events this year is the Funquay Fiesta Day when the whole of the town's quayside will be free of parked cars and take on a real colourful carnival atmosphere for the day and evening.

Throughout the day on August 1 the quay will come alive with a summer fair with stalls full of crafts. There will also be a range of stalls selling a variety of food with the quayside cafes putting tables and chairs outside.

There will be events especially for children led by Sasha the pirates, both on the quay and aboard the Albatros berthed in the harbour.

In the evening the quayside will take on a lively atmosphere with a jazz band, salsa dancing , rodeo riding and al fresco eating.

Organiser Gail Ward said that the new Funquay day will see the quayside being used for a open-air day-long event with its fantastic setting beside the salt marshes and beyond to the sea.

She said she particularly wanted to thank Kay Gelder, who sponsored the event in memory of her late husband, Tommy. The Harbour Commissioners have given use of the quay for the day and local shops had also contributed to the event.

The highlight of the Carnival is always Carnival Day on August 5 where the activities will be centred on The Buttlands and from where the carnival parade will leave to make its way around the town.

In the evening there will be performances by various bands including cult band Doctor and the Medics, Glamtastics , Fallen Idol and Headspace.

Throughout Carnival Week there will be a full programme of events ranging from percussion, robot, , kite and pirate workshops, cocktail evening, pet show, pottery classes, history walks, a panto revue the ever-popular gillying on the quayside and sandcastle building competition on the beach.

Carnival chairman Patrick Weston said the main aim of the organising committee's work is to stage a fun-filled week of events appealing to all ages and tastes while at the same time raising money for local community causes.

As usual, Mr Weston will be delighted to hear from local organisations or individuals with offers of help during the week. He can be contacted on 07771 874997.