More than 100,000 festival-goers help the organisers to make millions of pounds each year, and a sizeable proportion helps the local economy. In 2003, the organisers spent more than £3 million with local companies and gave around £600,000 to local groups and charities.  |  | | Somerset comes alive with carnival each autumn |
Carnival's not just in Rio! Come the autumn, hundreds of thousands of people will see Globe Carnival Club putting on the glitz on the county's carnival circuit. But Somerset carnival isn't just something that takes place for a few weeks each year - for carnival club members the hard work goes on all year round to make their carts bigger and brighter than ever. And that takes plenty of cash, so more than 30 of the Wells-based club's members will be manning the gates at the festival and putting their well-earned wages straight into the club kitty...  Listen to Frank Delaney from Globe Carnival Club
For Pilton's working men Festival organiser Michael Eavis takes great pride in the knowledge that his event has been able to help his neighbours in the village of Pilton. Festival proceeds have gone towards the restoration of the village's own 12th century tithe barn, wrecked by fire 50 years ago. Funds from the festival have also been used to totally refurbish Pilton Working Men's Club, which also welcomes female punters... Listen to Andrew's trip to Pilton Working Men's Club Back to school Four years ago, Kilmersdon Primary School near Radstock was wondering where to turn for the cash it needed to improve the buildings. Headteacher Steve Voakes said they hit upon the idea of turning the humble jacket spud into new classrooms and play areas... Listen to headteacher Steve Voakes | 
