Preparations by Sid Vale Carnival Club are underway for the 2024 East Devon circuit.

Club members start each year by voting on a theme design option. Once selected, members like to start January, hopefully having got the float partly stripped before Christmas.

The team are always on the look out for new members. Whether your in the carnival community, or want to join your first club. You can even help perform on the float and once the music is chosen, spring rehearsals start.

The  East Devon Carnivals have already started, with Sid Vale winning 1st and Best Overall at Seaton Carnival a few weeks ago, and Colyton.

Building of each float takes place two nights a week all year around with some members doing weekends, as the build progresses, to keep on track with different aspects. Everyone is invited to join them skilled or unskilled.

Building a carnival float becomes more and more expensive, so fundraising is sought with monthly Coffee Morning's, Jumble Sales as well as our seasonal Bingo's. Fundraising for Carnival can be a very social atmosphere working as a team.

Kathryn Baker from Sid Vale said: "Hundreds of man hours are involved in creating the floats each year, and many skills are needed to help get ready for the first carnival of the year. Hard work is perhaps an understatement. The planning and construction of the float, as well as numerous fundraising events to accumulate the necessary capital, is a full time commitment."

"In the summer, a full dress rehearsal takes place before our first carnival. Once Seaton carnival happens we are then out every Saturday until mid November, taking our entry to different carnivals around East Devon and Somerset."

"We would like to take the opportunity of thanking our Sponsors/Donations and Supporters for their generosity. We are incredibly grateful for everyone's kindness. It has made a significant impact this year so hopefully we will see you out on the road."

Sid Vale Carnival Club was founded in 1983. We started creating feature Carnival Floats and are one of the largest feature clubs in Devon. As a club we have designed 42 floats.

For more information visit their website.