Woman 'buzzing' to join carnival with support dog
Chloe HammondA woman has shared her excitement about a carnival club building a specially-adapted cart so she can take part.
Chloe Hammond, a full-time wheelchair user who works with medical alert and mobility-support assistance dog Ocho, said she had watched carnivals in Weston-super-Mare since she was two-years-old.
The 34-year-old said Misfits Carnival Club's decision to use sign language in its entry for the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival circuit in 2025 made her think it was an inclusive group she wanted to join.
"Carnival has been something that I've always admired but I never thought I could be a part of, especially since becoming a wheelchair user. I'm buzzing," she said.
Hammond said the club - based near Taunton - had been "so accommodating".
Speaking about her love of carnival, she said: "I love the lights, I love the atmosphere. I just think it's a really fun thing."
"I sing with the UK show choir so I do perform anyway but doing it on an actual carnival cart is a bit different and will be amazing," she added.
The Norton Fitzwarren club has secured permission for Hammond to take part in Bridgwater Carnival and is seeking approval for the South Somerset circuit.
Carol Watt, co-founder of the Misfits Carnival Club, said one of the group's younger members had suggested performing the 2025 routine with sign language.
"We were so chuffed with the audience reaction last year and when Chloe contacted us, we thought why not!
"She'll have an area in the cart where she'll have space for her wheelchair and Ocho the dog.
"I feel this is going to be really good for accessibility at carnival," Watt added.
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