ILMINSTER Carnival is celebrating its centenary this year and the Chard and Ilminster News has found a report from the first edition of the event.
The first edition of the carnival was held in October 1922 and was initially called Ilminster Hospital Carnival.
The event raised funds for the Taunton and Ilminster Hospital as well as the Ilminster and District Nursing Association.
A report of the first edition of the carnival can be found in the Chard and Ilminster News issue from October 28, 1922.
The article described the event as “a great carnival” and a “unique event for charity”.
The report also said: “There has been one subject in conversation in Ilminster this week.
“Possibly the general talk of the town will be no richer in the number of its themes next week. And that subject is: The Carnival.
“The chief business of the 2,300 or so folk of Ilminster, and a great many from outside, has been the raising money for the Taunton and Somerset Hospital Association by means of vast quantities of clever and thoroughly praiseworthy foolery.”
Here are some photos the Chard and Ilminster News received from Ilminster Carnival showing people taking part in carnivals held in the 1920s.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here