CHARD Carnival Committee handed out around £5,500 to various local groups and organisations during a presentation night at the Guildhall.

The money was raised during last year’s Chard Carnival on Saturday, October 14, 2017, and the Christmas float collection held during the run-up to the festive season.

Committee chairman Jason Baker was joined by Chard Mayor, Cllr Garry Shortland, Miss Chard, Cameron Adams, and Grace-May Loveridge, Chard Carnival Princess, for the presentations held on Sunday (February 11, 2018).

But Mr Baker said that if it had not been for the efforts of his committee then nothing would have been possible.

“I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you and well done to all of the committee who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to put on this event and thank them personally for the support they have given me as chairman,” he said.

“There is much that goes on behind the scenes that nobody sees and I think they all deserve our thanks.”

Recipients of donations from Chard Carnival Committee were as follows: Manor Court Primary School, Avishayes Primary School, Redstart Primary School, Tatworth School, Tatworth Amateur Pantomime Society, Royal Carnival Club, Chard Rotary Club, Chard Evolution Majorettes, Chard Rugby Club, Chard First Responders, Chard British Legion, Kelly Leigh School of Dance, Bubbles Carnival Club, Lumiere Youth Theatre, Juniors Reloaded Carnival Club (previously known as Eclipse Juniors), Chard Brownies, Musketeers Carnival Club, Little Daffodils, Zem Carnival Club, Chard Museum, Eclipse Carnival Club, Chard 1st Scouts, Avishayes Youth Football Club, Manor Court Scouts, Kai and Logan, Tizzys Carnival Club, Merriott Majorettes, Poppe Inn Carnival Club, Chard Ladies Rugby Club, Andy Tizzard and Alex Whitehall, Coastguard Air Ambulance, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, St John Ambulance, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, and the Chard First Responders.