Chippenham Carnival returns this Saturday, 4th July, bringing a packed afternoon and evening of music, entertainment and family fun to Island Park and the town centre.
Festivities begin at 2pm, when the Mayor officially opens the Carnival Village in Island Park. Running until 8.30pm, the village will feature live music, dance performances, food and drink vendors and artisan stalls.
Visitors can enjoy Jennings Fairground in Monkton Park, browse the craft stalls and explore a pop-up exhibition from Chippenham Museum celebrating the history of the carnival.
There’s also the Carnival Window Spotting Competition to enjoy, with 24 independent businesses across the town centre joining in the fun.
The highlight of the day though is the carnival procession, featuring more than 300 participants from groups and organisations across the town.
The procession will leave Wiltshire College on Cocklebury Road at 5.30pm, travelling down Station Hill and through the town centre before returning to Island Park at approximately 6.15pm.
Procession entrants include:
- Vehicles
- A Stars Dance
- Chippenham Fire Brigade
- Faresaver
- Man Down
- Somerford Mini Ltd
- TS Tiger – Chippenham Sea Cadets
- The Rise Trust
- Trusty Military Steads
- VIP car
- White Horse Military Show
- Wilts & Berks Canal Trust
- Wiltshire Council – Fostering
On Foot
- 10th Chippenham Scout Group
- 3rd Chippenham Scouts
- Allsorts Community Choir
- Chippenham Show Choir
- Chippenham Sports Club
- Chippenham Town Junior Academy
- Chippenham Youth Theatre
- Emmanuel Church
- English Civil War Society
- Floating in the Skies
- New Road Nursery
- The Arc – climbing centre
Music and Entertainment
A full programme of local performers will take to the Carnival Stage throughout the afternoon, including:
- Chippenham Town Band
- Dancing Academy
- Allsorts Choir
- A Stars Dance
- Sparkly Singers
- In2Dance
- Jake Lockhart
- The Cause Community Choir
- Chippenham Show Choir
- Harmony-Asia
- The Vivas
Food vendors will include AnazCook, Mr Roast Potato, Veli’cious, Yum Yum! Ice Creams, The Loaf Shack, We Meat Again and Pasty Cove.
Visitors are encouraged to download the Chippenham Carnival app before the event, where they can see what’s on, vote for their favourite procession entry and see more information about the Window Spotting competition.
Introducing the Carnival Ambassadors
As part of this year’s carnival, organisers have introduced a new Carnival Ambassador initiative to recognise individuals who make an outstanding contribution to life in Chippenham.
Members of the public were invited to nominate people who go above and beyond for the local community, with the carnival committee selecting two ambassadors for this inaugural year.
Sandie Webb is being recognised for her many years of service to Chippenham and her continued work at the Chippenham Hub, where she plays an important role in bringing people together and supporting the local community.
Joining her is Sam Compton, also known to many as Sheila Tackya. Through his involvement with Chippenham Pride and the wider community, Sam is well known for promoting inclusivity, kindness and community spirit, while bringing joy, music and entertainment to audiences across the town.
The introduction of Carnival Ambassadors is another way the revived carnival is celebrating the people who make Chippenham such a vibrant and welcoming community.
For many residents, the return of the carnival marks the continuation of a long-standing and much loved town tradition.
Chippenham Carnival was first held in 1923 as a fundraising event for Chippenham Cottage Hospital, the carnival was once a regular fixture in the town before coming to an end in the 2000s. Following a short revival between 2017 and 2019, the event was again paused during the Covid pandemic.
Now, thanks to the efforts of Chair Chris Dallimore and a dedicated volunteer committee, the carnival is continuing its revival, with organisers hoping to build on this year’s event for the future.
Volunteers Still Needed
The organisers are still looking for additional volunteers to help marshal and support activities on the day. Even giving an hour or two of your time can make a huge difference to the safe running of the carnival. Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up here:
https://forms.gle/c2ZmNLe1w82nZfNA7
Supported by Local Businesses
Chippenham Carnival would not be possible without the support of local businesses, organisations and grant funders.
Headline sponsor John Williams Heating Services Ltd has helped make many aspects of this year’s event possible, alongside gold sponsors iFixer and Faresaver. The organisers have also received valuable grant funding support from Chippenham Borough Lands Charity and Chippenham Town Council. Silver sponsors include John Jennings Fun Fair, CK Clinic, The Santosha Studio and Chippenham Harriers.
Supporting Local Causes
Visitors attending this year’s carnival can help to support a number of local causes through the official charity bucket collection taking place during the procession.
Chippenham Carnival has been granted permission by Wiltshire Council to hold the collection, with funds raised being shared between three important causes:
- Doorway Wiltshire, which supports rough sleepers and vulnerably housed people across North Wiltshire.
- Chippenham Foodbank, based at and overseen by The Salvation Army in Chippenham.
- The Chippenham Carnival Fund, helping organisers continue to develop and sustain the event in future years.
Organisers are encouraging everyone attending the carnival to bring along some loose change and support these worthwhile causes while enjoying the day’s celebrations.
We’d like to thank all of the amazing volunteers, organisers, sponsors, participants and supporters who have helped bring the carnival back.
If you’re in or near Chippenham this Saturday, do go along and show your support.
Have fun!
Find out more about the Carnival here: https://www.chippenhamcarnival.co.uk/
