Carnival comes to Wiltshire

The bright lights of the Somerset carnival circuit came over the border to warm Warminster on Saturday, with a bumper crowd braving the chilly October wind.

The latest in the Wessex Grand Prix circuit saw some of Somerset's biggest carnival carts prepare for next month's Bridgwater Carnival with a trip to Wiltshire.

But the stars of the show came from some unexpected corners, with the reformed and revitalised Major Wrecks dance troupe from Devizes stealing the night.

The all-male, portly, skirt-wearing dancers rustled their pom-poms at the tail-end of a procession of highly polished majorette troupes.

Girls from Chard, Trowbridge, Coleford and two from Frome had already brought some razzle-dazzle to the carnival procession – in particular Frome's Charisma Twirlers with their Elvis-themed routine, and the local Angels With Attitude dance group, who had lots of fun with a Soulja Girls entry.

But the Major Wrecks, who had been close to folding earlier this year, sparked laughter from the crowds lining Warminster's Market Place and High Street.

Then it was the turn of the illuminated carts, with Revellers Carnival Club setting a high standard with their Diamonds of India entry.

That was soon followed by the likes of Rascals CC, with the Land of Make Believe, and En-Spired Carnival Club, with their Danc-tation show.

The Cary Comedians were the pick of the carts, with a witty Disco Babies entry. This had grown men and women wearing nappies dancing in a disco complete with a "milk bar", naughtily created from a pair of brassiered breasts.

Some of the walking entries were just as good, particularly the Noah's Ark effort from Carousel CC, and Wookey Hole's scary Halloween-themed effort.

"It's been a wonderful carnival, one of the best we've seen," said mum Tracey Farmer, from Westbury, who brought her three children along. "The rain has held off and it's not too cold once the bright lights of the floats come past.

"My children really enjoyed the Major Wrecks. They were impressed by all the proper majorette troupes, but they thought it was hilarious. One of the Major Wrecks was dancing with his skirt around his knees."

The procession in Warminster, which was led by a collection of bell-ringing town criers from across west Wiltshire and east Somerset, also included two marching bands – the Dorset Youth and the Dolphin, as well as a Girl Guide entry from Shaftesbury.