Community Matters
The Weymouth Carnival C.I.C supports the community by fostering unity, celebrating local culture, and creating opportunities for engagement and economic benefit. As a community interest company, its focus is on organising events and initiatives that bring people together, promote local businesses, and raise funds for charitable causes. These efforts contribute to enhancing the social fabric of Weymouth, providing entertainment, and supporting local organisations and projects that improve the quality of life for residents.
Message From Kallum Gethins, Director & Chairman 2022-Present
Hello Weymouth and Portland!
Our mission to revive Weymouth Carnival is alive and well, and I’m excited to share that we’re planning a fresh format that breaks from the traditional mold. We’ve been diving deep into data, feedback, and insights from local business leaders, and this new direction reflects all that we’ve learned. While it won’t look exactly like the carnivals of past years, we believe it’ll bring something uniquely exciting to our community.
Thanks to our community’s dedication, we’ve won several awards, primarily in the Community Support category, and we’ve recently been nominated for Best Events Planning Company and Community Award for the South Coast! These recognitions not only boost our brand and reputation but also reinforce our commitment to creating a positive impact. Thank you to everyone who helped us reach these milestones!
I’m thrilled to say that our impact has grown tremendously! This year, our website saw over 1 million visits between January this year up to November—up by 300,000 from last year—and more than 70,000 people connect with us on Facebook each month. Those numbers speak volumes about the support and enthusiasm from you, our incredible community and the hard work our members have put in over the last two years.
To the people of Weymouth and Portland, thank you! Your support at events and your passion for the carnival is what drives us. This year, thanks to you, we’ve donated £2,100 split between three local charities. It’s proof that with teamwork and commitment, we’re creating something valuable. And for those who think the carnival is a “dead horse”—it’s not. It just needs to adapt to today’s realities, where resources are tight, but our spirit is strong.
Of course, no journey is perfect. Mistakes will happen, but I believe those missteps will only strengthen our organisation as we build for the future. We’re learning as we go, and those lessons will help bind us together, steering us toward an even better Carnival.
To anyone saying we should “just give up or hand the carnival back”—I’ll simply say, good things take time, and we won’t stop until we’ve created an annual event that serves our community and instead of using your keyboard, get involved with us.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
