Wroughton Carnival supported by Bellway

Housing developer, Bellway, has donated £400 to Wroughton Carnival.

Last year's carnival was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and Bellway donated £400 to help make sure this year's was a treat. The firm is currently building new homes in the village. 

Thousands turned up for the carnival, at the Weir Field, which included a fun fair, live music, a fancy dress competition, ferret racing staged by the Fluffy Retreat Ferret Rescue and a petting corner, provided by Chloe’s Mobile Farm, where a number of farm animals were the main attraction.

Carnival committee member Sally Parker said: “We are very grateful to Bellway for their generous donation to help us make sure the carnival could go ahead this year.

“The event costs about £4,000 to stage so this money was a great help particularly because of the year everyone has had due to the pandemic.

“Bellway’s donation helped us pay for the hire of first aid cover, toilets and the general cost of staging the event.”

Last year was one of the few in the carnival's 113-year history when it had to be cancelled.

Sally added: “The carnival is very special to this area and pulls in people from miles around.

“People have had a very difficult year with the lockdown restrictions affecting everyone so it was great to be able to offer them a day of fun and laughter. 

“The carnival was just what people needed. It has been a real boost for local people. This year, more than ever before, the carnival needed to go ahead.”

Social distancing restrictions meant that the traditional float parade could not take place. 

Local radio station Swindon 105.5, who support the event every year, provided a running commentary and there was live entertainment on stage between 1 - 6pm with three local bands and two choirs.

40 stalls sold food and arts and crafts including hand-made jewellery.  

Christel Hawkins, Sales Manager for Bellway South West, said: “We are always keen to support local community events when we can. The Wroughton Carnival is a well-established and much-loved fixture in the village’s social calendar and we were pleased to be able to help out.

“It is nice to know that the money we donated allowed the carnival to go ahead, particularly as the pandemic prevented it from taking place last year. It was great to see the event putting smiles on people’s faces.”  

Bellway is building new homes at its Ridgeway Park development, off Marlborough Road in the village.

The company is building a range of three and four-bedroom homes for sale, with the first properties set to be released for sale in the autumn. 

More information is available at bellway.co.uk or by calling the sales team on 01793 352642.  

(Aerial view of Wroughton Carnival, Weir field)