See Somerset lit up

THE Guy Fawkes fireworks #carnivals in November are among the highlights of the year in Somerset, when brilliantly lit and decorated floats – or carts, as they’re known locally – parade through the packed streets of some of the county’s main towns 

Medieval in origin, they were banned during the 19th century because of the bawdy and unruly behaviour they inspired.

Many visitors book an overnight stay, or catch several carnivals, making them the focus of a family-friendly autumn holiday.

The carnival towns in November are: Bridgwater, Burnham On Sea, Weston-Super-Mare, North Petherton, Shepton Mallet, Wells, Glastonbury and Wincanton which is tonight 16th October at 7.30pm

Whichever one you choose, check the route, arrive early as some roads may be closed, dress warm, be prepared for big crowds and a show lasting several hours, and bring plenty of loose change … it’s a free show, and there are collections for charities.

www.somersetcarnivals.co.uk 

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Picture Credit: Weston-super-Mare carnival 2011 Vagabonds CC Haunted Mansion by Geof Sheppard - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Music tourism’s contribution to the UK economy: £3.1 billion

TOURISTS attending live concerts and music festivals in Britain generated £3.1 billion in direct and indirect spend to the country’s economy, says the UK Music lobby group.

Its Wish You Were Here 2015 economic study reports that music tourism numbers in the UK increased by 34% between 2011 and 2014, with 9.5 million people travelling to music events in 2014.

It says music tourism has been driving wealth into local economies across the whole of the UK.

‘These past four years have seen a 39% rise in overseas tourists travelling to the UK to attend our #musicevents, each with an average spend of £751 going directly to UK businesses,’ the report states. ‘This increase in music tourism provides a huge boost to employment throughout the country, with 38,238 full time jobs in 2014 sustained by music tourism in the UK. This in itself marks a 57 % increase from the 2012 figure of 24,521.’

The government’s Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale, commented: ‘It’s fantastic news that our music industry drew in 9.5 million tourists last year, but it’s no surprise. British music is legendary around the world and continues to go from strength to strength, with UK artists now accounting for one in seven albums sold worldwide.

‘#Festivals such as Glastonbury hold an iconic status on the world music scene and are one of the reasons why international tourism is booming in the UK, drawing in streams of visitors to all parts of the country.’

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61656159@N07/9285706622">IMG_1034</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)

How not to rough it at Glasto

WANT to go to this year’s #Glastonbury Festival (June 24-28), but don’t fancy roughing it in a tent and, perhaps, the mud?

As well as self-catering cottages in that part of Somerset, here are five hotels – recommended by LateRooms.com – not too far from Glasto:

Charlton House, Shepton Mallet: A country house hotel, a 20-minute drive from Glastonbury. From £140 a night.

The Bothy at Manor Farm, Glastonbury: The Bothy at Manor Farm is a 10-minute walk from the festival site. From £85 a night.

Beryl, Wells: In the Mendip hills, one mile from Wells, Beryl is set in 13 acres of parkland. From £130 a night.

Red Lion Inn, Babcary: A thatched country pub a 25-minute drive from Glastonbury. From £110 a night.

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Picture Credit: Glastonbury Festival 2011 by jaswooduk from UK - Glastonbury 2011. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons