It is traditional and as unique to Somerset as cider and cheese, but the carnival circuit in the autumn could be heading into dark times - without your help.

The stunning floats, already in the making but under wraps, are costing more and more in time and hard cash, and with Covid keeping all the groups off the road for the past two years, the carnival business is not all sweetness and light.

Frome Nub News went along to be dazzled by Frome's Oasis team - we are sworn to secrecy about this year's theme - and to appeal for all help, any help, to keep on track.

The President of Oasis Carnival Club, who also started it in 1999, is not sure he would do it all over again. " It was never supposed to be this much work, " jokes Dick Goodenough. " When we started there were around 80 clubs taking part in the Somerset circuits, I believe it is now down to 60 or fewer, quite a few have gone. A lot of it is due to financial pressures, to put on our show costs around £25,000 a year, which is actually quite modest, a big club which may spend around £60,000. And we recycle, upcycle and borrow and beg and loan out props to keep going."

More than just a lick of paint

Every part of carnival costs, from the costumes to the light bulbs, but paint can be one of those hidden huge price tags.

"The biggest cost can be paint, that is the best part of a thousand pounds " explained Dick. "You go to Homebase or B&Q and see the price of a two and a half litre can of paint, but that doesn't go very far, we only paint for two weeks, we don't put any more paint on the design than we have got to, just to be on the circuit, so it is bright for just the time we are out. We just make it look stunning for two weeks, even at just £30 a pot a time it is a lot of money."

It costs time and money

Costumes, props, lighting rigs, sound rigs, everything is created by club members and when ever possible they re-use and recycle to create from the year before. Each time they go out they have around a dozen people on the floats, so each of them needs a costume they budget for around £100. The only thing they buy in is the light bulbs and some settings, and although they have in the past bought models, most they have made which they then also hire out, such as the horse at the Radstock Museum. What is the difference between a Tableau Club (Oasis) and a Feature Club? Dick explained : " Tableau is a stationary portrayal of a picture - no flashing lights, nothing moving at all and that includes the characters who have to stand still for at the start of the procession and only break it at the finish. Anything up to an hour and a half. My personal opinion is that Tableau is harder. " With a feature cart, they have a dance routine and again they start at the beginning of the procession and finish when the float stops, so they are looking at having to keep moving for an hour and a half." Treasurer Kelvin Coles says the club will welcome any helping hands who can also join the club to learn a new skill. " I have learnt to do all the electrics. Dressmakers electricians, model making skills, carpentry, welding, mechanical, painters, artists... there is nothing that we would not welcome. And it is open to all."

A case of help us build it

The Oasis team show me the model they are building for this year.. shhh all secret. It is a Christmas-based tableau, a work in progress which will be eight foot long, created in polystyrene base, wrapped in parcel tape, covered with fibre glass and then painted over. It is quite magnificent and the work of one of the oasis' creatives, model maker and artist Tony Maries who has carved it by hand. We are very lucky to have him, they say. Everything takes money and time, a 'simple' crescent moon just one part of the scene, has they estimate taken around eight hours to make.

So a let us start a fight - Floats versus Carts ?

"It is whatever you call it, " Dick tells us with diplomacy.

"If you say float in Bridgwater you will get lynched," Kelvin jokes.

The explanation: " Three or four hundred years ago when carnivals started they were at the end of the harvest, so they used carts once they were no longer being used for grain or produce from the farm. Up around this way they were always classed as floats. The main difference was that they often appeared as summer events so not an empty cart. "

Treasurer and Director Kelvin Coles, who trained as a chef, tells us why he signed up: " We go out to enjoy ourselves, if we come fourth fifth, no matter, it is all about taking part. We know we are not probably going to win because we don't have the numbers in terms of help or money. For example Bridgwater carnival club are being nationally recognised - they are sending a cart to the Jubilee pageant in London. "

There is also a lot of paperwork to hosting a carnival club, in addition to insurances, liabilities and checks they need a Vehicle Special Order check to ensure every unit is safe to go out and they expect to have random checks by the police while out on the roads. Any problem needs to be fixed before you move on.

If you want to get involved, and you would be most welcome, contact them via their Facebook page HERE: where you can also find a list of some of their props they are happy to rent out

The club will have its first outing in September - a small walking entry in Frome, with the first road carnival in Warminster, the last Saturday of October and the 'big' one, Bridgwater, the first Saturday in November.

As part of the club you could also find yourself stewarding at local festivals, and for the Frome Independent, as it is another way the club raises funds.

In three words : Why should people join Oasis?

Kelvin tells Nub News : " It is great fun, you don't have to have any special skills but you can learn a new skill."

"Fun achievement and ambition, " that's what Oasis is all about says Dick.

But add to that a little bit of forgiveness too. Oasis travel to their meet ups at night, to avoid congesting up the roads, but if you do meet them on the way, motorists please be patient, they are not allowed to go any faster than 20 mph.

Find out more about Oasis HERE: their web site