Gorrel Equipment Solutions, a Walters Group company, sponsored the Griffens Carnival Team in this year’s Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival! The origins of the carnival in Bridgwater can be traced back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 when, on 5th November, Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators failed in their attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament! King James 1st decreed that the events of November 5th be commemorated annually with the lighting of bonfires, a tradition which is celebrated across the nation to this day. The townsfolk of Bridgwater celebrated with more vigour than anywhere else, creating a tradition of widespread merrymaking on the anniversary! The celebrations have now grown into the magnificent spectacle which takes to the streets of Bridgwater each year in early November.
This year, the event included forty-five ‘carts’ (floats), fireworks and a ‘squibbing’ display - giant fireworks attached to ‘coshes’ (large sweeping brushes without the bristles!).
Gorrel provided the Griffens crews with protective coveralls to keep them warm, dry and visible whilst constructing and parading their 100ft long carnival cart around seven different towns in Somerset over 2 weeks, eventually finishing up in Glastonbury on the 16th of November.
The Griffens Carnival Club was formed in 1668, and currently builds their cart each year at their site in Andersea, near Bridgwater. The Griffens carts are always one of the best in class, this year placing with their cart ‘The Great Air Race’, pictured here.
We can’t wait to see what they build next year!
