Gremlins Carnival Club

Est 1948
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Welcome to the home of the Gremlins Carnival Club


What is a Gremlin?

Elves, Goblins and Trolls seem to be timeless creations of the distant past; but Gremlins were born in the 20th Century. 

In fact Gremlin is first recorded only in the 1920's as a Royal Air Force term for a low-ranking officer or enlisted man saddled with oppressive assignments.  Said to have been invented by members of the Royal Naval Air Service in World War 1, Gremlin is used in works written in the 1940's for 'an imaginary gnome-like creature who causes difficulties in aircraft'. 

The word seems likely to have been influenced by goblin, but accounts of its origin are various and none are certain.  One source calls in Fremlin beer bottles to explain the word; another, the Gaelic word Gruaimin, 'Ill-humoured little fellow'. 

Whatever the words origin it is certain that Gremlins have taken on a life on their own!


Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

This statement is echoed throughout the length and breadth of Somerset throughout the month of November as the Somerset Guy Fawkes Carnival Association illuminates the winter skies.  In a tradition which stretches back over 400 years The Gremlins Carnival Club has been an ever present entry for the last 60 years, and it's fair to say that history would suggest that we are one of, if not the most, successful clubs on the circuit.


 
A brief insight into Carnival

Carnival in Somerset dates back 400 years and is one of the most spectacular events in Somerset today.  They take place in late autumn and can be traced back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 when Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament.  Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival is the world’s largest illuminated winter carnival.


The floats (or carts as they are called locally) are designed and built by dedicated carnival clubs, whose members raise money throughout the year and work relentlessly to achieve their spectacular carnival entries, whose theme is a closely guarded secret.


Many carts use up to 30,000 light bulbs and can be up to 30.48 metres (100ft) long, 3.35 metres (11ft) wide and 5.33 metres (17.6ft) high.  Together with walking and individual entries, they join to form a procession which is over 2 miles long and can take over 2 hours to pass any given point en route.


Carnival is a free show but collections are taken throughout the processions, the proceds of which are distributed among local charities.  If everyone who came along donated £1; as well as getting a very good value-for-money evening of entertainment it would also be shared out amongst the local charities and local Carnival Clubs that volunteer on the Carnival night and provide your entertainment.  Great value for £1 per head!!


A brief history of Gremlins Carnival Club

Formed in 1948 by ex-members of the Royal Air Force, the newly formed club entered it's first cart into the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival circuit, The Pages of Rhythm, in 1948 and won the Sam Hooper Cup for Feature with the highest points in the 1949 Carnival Concert.

In 1958 the club briefly ceased due to lack of membership but restarted in 1959 after a windfall of 13 members.  It is still growing to this day.

Gremlins was the first club to win three Starkey County Cups for overall champions of the circuit in a row, matched only by Pentathlon's tableau record.

The 1983 entry Circus comes to Town suffered a snapped front axle pulling out of Parkway at the start of the procession and needed welding to complete the ciruit.  Even so, it still took home the Bryer Cup.

Between 1991 - 1995 Gremlins won 32 first places in the Somerset circuit, 27 of them consecutive.

With the club celebrating it's 60th Anniversary in 2009, everyone remains excited about the future of our Club and the forthcoming Carnivals.