Member Article

Dorset housebuilders show support for Gillingham Carnival

David Wilson Homes has shown its support for Gillingham’s annual carnival, by sponsoring the popular community event that took place last month.

Gillingham Carnival, which has been taking over the town’s high street for more than 70 years, was a brilliant occasion again this year, made even better by some unexpectedly warm weather.

Children took part in an afternoon procession, and in the evening, it was the turn of the Band Parade and a Grand Illuminated procession. Unique to Gillingham Carnival, was also the Steam Cavalcade, consisting of nine steam engines, which was followed by a parade of majorette troupes and dance teams from the area.

Leading housebuilder, David Wilson Homes, which is soon to be bringing new homes to Gillingham at its new Romans Quarter development, is committed to showing its support for events such as this and was keen to sign up as the carnival’s main sponsor.

Mary Bailey, from the carnival’s committee, said: “The carnival is a major event in the town’s calendar and attracts visitors from across the region, so we’re extremely grateful to David Wilson Homes for its support. The housebuilder’s sponsorship has been an enormous help in contributing to our numerous overheads and has also meant we’ve been able to replace two of our oldest trophies, which date back to the 50s and 60s. Thanks, from all of us here.”

Tammy Bishop, David Wilson Homes Sales Director, said: “We are really proud to have had the opportunity to support Gillingham Carnival. It’s events like this that bring communities together, and it was fantastic to see the crowds lining the streets of the town this year.”

Little is known of Gillingham Carnival before the Second World War, but Gillingham held its first Hospital Carnival in 1907 and regular carnivals have been held since 1949. It is organised by the Gillingham Carnival Committee, a group of volunteers who raise funds through events, donations, and street collections in order to finance the running of the carnival.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Wilson Homes .