The Cupboard Monster

Official News Letter of the

MARKETEERS CARNIVAL CLUB

Chairman: Steve Wright Captain: Matt Knapp Treasurer: Ian Barber Secretary: Alan Windsor

Welcome to the first edition of The Cupboard Monster (we all have a red furry monster hiding in the back of somewhere don't we). Our aim is to keep everyone associated to the club up-to date with all things that are happening and relevant in the world of the Marketeers.

2005: Left weighting for more (A review of the year)

At the start of the year, who could have foreseen the hurdles that would be placed in our way? A considerable debt to try and claw back and information that a 50 tonne-weight limit would be strictly imposed on all clubs didn't give us the best of starts. But all the clubs would be in the same (show)boat wouldn't they? 

With the idea accepted early on and the cart team busy beavering away to try keep the weight down The Old Folk's Show bought a welcome relief from all the hard work and fund-raising. In what will go down in history as one of the greatest OFS productions of all time, Marketeers hoped to bring some culture to the proceedings with the critically acclaimed Swan Fake. With a host of Ballerinas, Ballet-Boys and an extremely handsome and talented Ugly Duckling the crowd was in raptures and the show received rave reviews in the Local Press. (N.B copies of the production can be obtained from Bridgwater-Photos.co.uk for a small price)

With the fantastic OFS show production fresh in their memory the stage personnel were soon starting rehearsals for the 2005 concerts. In what was a slow start (due to the lack of attendance and commitment from some parts) rehearsal's were soon well underway and with the cart crew making good progress out at the Halfway, the future looked bright.

Before long Concerts were upon us and apart from a few teething problems by the sound people (which lasted 'til the second Thursday) all went extremely well. Leroy Brown quite possibly stole the show and the gentleman that portrays him (his name escapes me) should of possibly been awarded an Oscar. Crowded outside the Town Hall waiting for results, a pleasant surprise awaited us. 4^th place was captured and we celebrated through the night like only we know how.

With 2 weeks heavy drinking behind us, the task of finishing the cart was set upon! May I quickly congratulate all the boys that went out there week in week out during the summer months (you know who you are). You all did a wonderful job. When the rest of us arrived to get down to work nearer the time, the cart had progressed way beyond anyone's expectations.

So here it was. Cart building time, people arriving in their masses to lend a helping hand. Night after night come rain and more rain everyone pulled together and by the last couple of nights people were struggling to find things to do. What a welcome change from the usual stress and rushing around that normally brings the odd difference of opinions.

Carnival day dawns. Club Captain Matt Knapp sporting a lovely lump on his head and for the first time in an age, no bags under people's eyes due to stupidly late nights. Is this the future???

With rain in the air for the early part of the 7 carnivals, Marketeers 2005 entry Showboat snaked it's way through the streets of Bridgwater, North Petherton, Burnham and Shepton Mallet. Picking up two 4^th places and a Best Decorated-towing vehicle on the way.

We all know the problems that effected us at Wells and thus as a club we felt we couldn't risk taking part and took the decision to withdraw from the rest of the Carnival Circuit. A few beers to drown the sorrows Friday night was followed by a long walk round the Glastonbury route the Saturday night. For our actions on both the nights we received praise and recognition for our 'Carnival Spirit' from all quarters of the Carnival Community.

Monday morning and I receive a phone call (can't remember who from) informing me of the result of our re-weigh. After a quick meeting between the Committee and The Road-Crew the Cart was on it's way to Weston-Super-Mare. Having the job to ring all the members and inform them that we were going on that night was something I'll remember for a long time and bought a huge smile to my face.

A 4^th place at Weston was a perfect end to a brilliant Carnival and I don't think that anyone in Carnival would have be-grudged us that placing after all the torment we had been through.

How to sum up the year then? In my opinion it was one of the most enjoyable years I have had in the club. Any one that was there won't be in a hurry to forget Trevs Stag Weekend to Butlins Minehead and the soaking that Young Grover had to suffer. Also Trev and Deane Paiseys Joint Stag Day when the bus driver managed to nigh-on write off the bus before we got to the second pub.

Naked Rugby at Tor Rugby club springs to mind, not only for the fact it was -5 degrees but also that out as Men and we came back in as Ladies with very numb feet and certain parts of our anatomy in hibernation.

Matt & Jo's Black Sunday Wedding will never be forgotten, nor the kindness shown towards a collection for Mike Dennison. But most of all in my mind for how the club stuck together not just after the weighing incident which made you proud to be stood next to the person by your side, but also Black Sunday. The image of what seemed more than a 100 rat jackets marching through the town singing and joking will long live in the memory.

Now with it all over, lets start off 2006 how we finished 2005. Stick together through thick and thin. Lets keep pushing for those top trophies, but most of all, always do what we do best and have a good time doing it.

Alan Windsor.

News

·         A New Year dawns for the club and at the AGM (held Dec 5^th 2005). The 2006 committee was formed. Details of the new committee can be found later on in this newsletter.

·         Tickets are now on Sale for the Annual New Years Eve Fancy dress-party in Town hall. These are priced at £5 each and are availiable from Chunky Dunster. This year's theme is 'Rocking through the Ages' and is described as a 50's, 60's & 70's night by our illustrious president.

·         The date for this year's Pontoon Dinner has been set! This year the event will take place on the 25^th February 2006 in the function room above Bar-27.

The price this year is £17.50pp. This includes a sumptuous 5-course meal, a free drink and evenings entertainment.

Forms are availiable from Alan Windsor and must be returned with full payment by 11^th February 2006 (please make cheques payable to Jason Brazewell).

·         Congratulations to Emma Britton (Johnny Turner's better half) for organising a W.I Calendar Girls style calendar for 2006. These are priced at £10 each and available from Emma or John and feature Wife's, Girlfriends and friends of the Marketeers in various states of undress with only a Rat Jacket covering their modesty. All profits go to the club.

·         Bridgwater Carnival DVDs & calendars now on sale from Garry Martin & Lewis White respectively.

Forth-Coming Events

Up and coming dates for your diary}

·         17th December 2005 - Garry (Chicken) Martins Birthday Party. This is being held at the Chilton-School and is a club invite, so everyone is welcome. (N.B this is also a club bar so the more you drink the more money goes to the club)

·         Christmas Eve & Boxing Day - As usual the Club will be enjoying the festive season with a few well-deserved drinks. Meeting in the Old Market 15:00ish Xmas Eve and Mid-dayish Boxing Day. Hope to see you there with your Xmas Jumper on.

·         New Years Eve - As noted earlier on in the newsletter the club will once again be holding a party to usher in the New Year Tickets are available from Chunky Dunster and priced at £5 each.

·         Pontoon Dinner voting forms will be out in the New Year, details will be published in future editions of the Cupboard Monster.

 

Help Wanted

We have the following club fund-raisers coming up shortly, where any help would be appreciated}

Chickens B/day Bash - Help needed to set up the bar ready for the nights Drink-a-thon.

Saturday 23^rd December - Club Fundraiser Bridgwater Cricket Club, help setting-up/loading of bar equipment needed, also bar staff

New Years Eve - Help required to set up Bar and to decorate Town Hall, Bar staff also required (N.B Bar Staff get paid for the New Years Eve party)

If any of you can help the club run any of these events please contact either Matt Knapp or Steve Wright

Honours 2005

Bridgwater}

Lime Kiln Anniversary Cup - 4^th Feature on Stage.

Polar Bear Cup - 4^th Local Feature Road.

Newmarket Shield - Runner up in Gangs & Features Cart Personality  - Alan Windsor

Best Decorated towing Vehicle - Burnham On Sea.

4^th Place - Shepton Mallet.

4^th Place - Weston Super Mare.

2006 Club Officers

Chairman - Steve Wright

Captain - Matt Knapp

Treasurer - Ian Barber

Secretary  - Alan Windsor

Vice Chairman - Shaun Ford

Vice Captain - Tony 'Trev' Seaborne

Vice Treasurer - Garry 'Chicken' Martin

Vice Secretary - Adrian Horne

Hope you enjoyed the first edition of the Cupboard Monster the official Newsletter of the Marketeers Carnival Club. If any one would like to contribute to future editions or have any thing that you feel should be bought to the attention of the club then please contact Alan Windsor.

On behalf of Marketeers C.C may I wish you all the best for the festive season. And a very prosperous New Year.