The organisers of Sidmouth Carnival, held on September 23, have warned that it will be ‘a non-starter’ next year unless new committee members come forward.
There are currently only seven people on the carnival committee and at least two are due to leave by the end of this year, leaving just five to run the carnival in 2024.
Holly Phillips, chair of the committee, says they’re looking for at least 10 new members to carry on the carnival tradition, which this year saw 28 entries.
She said: “Being part of this long-standing tradition brings a great sense of pride to those that organise the procession each year and it would be such a shame to lose this fantastic asset that Sidmouth has.
“The carnival committee work year-round fundraising for the next year’s carnival and this year has held four bingo sessions, with another two in the diary to see the year out.
“We have various roles to fill including needing a judging coordinator and procession coordinator. These roles form a vital part of the carnival and without them the carnival simply could not go ahead.
“We also need general committee members who are willing to get stuck in on the day. This could include helping put signs around the town ready for road closures, making sure people aren’t parked in coned-off areas ahead of the procession, collecting coins that drop on the road after the collecting float, and much, much more.
“In between the annual carnivals we also need people to help with running fundraising events. Last year we managed to get a team to do some fundraising for us at the Sidmouth Car Show - however due to this year’s clash with the carnival and the lack of committee members this hasn’t been possible. Last year this raised us a vital £100 which is a sixth of our yearly insurance cost!
“The more members we have the easier everyone’s roles become as we are able to share the roles out between lots of people. At the minute the small number of committee members being stretched to breaking point.
“Without at least 10 new members (the more the merrier!) stepping forward, the 2024 Sidmouth carnival is a non-starter.”
Anyone willing to get involved is asked to attend the Carnival Committee meeting on Wednesday, October 4, to be held at The Blue Ball in Sidford at 7:30pm. They can meet the current committee and get to know more about the help that is needed.
Alternatively email sidmouthcarnival@outlook.com or find the Sidmouth Community Carnival Ltd page on Facebook and send a message with an expression of interest.
See more photos of Sidmouth Carnival here
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