WESTBURY’S White Horse Children’s Carnival has been cancelled, due to a shortage of volunteers for the Carnival committee.
The committee had planned to bring a Children’s Carnival to Westbury this September, followed by a full Carnival next year. But with only three members on the committee, some of whom are affected by ill health, the Carnival group has closed and the Children’s Carnival will not go ahead.
And with little appetite from residents for a Carnival, chair Stephen Miles says he has no plans to continue with plans for a full 2014 Carnival, unless a reasonable number of people come forward.
He said, “It is with much regret that we have decided, after much consideration, to cancel Westbury White Horse Carnival Children’s Carnival this year. This means the Carnival Princess and Prince competition will now not take place on July 28th, and neither will the Carnival procession on September 7th.
“The two fundraising events announced, the coffee morning on July 20 in the West End Baptist Church and the Table Top Sale in the Jubilee Hall on July 27th, are also cancelled.
“Since we began in April, I have asked for more help on the committee so that the Carnival can take place. We are only three members strong on the committee, and very regrettably this help has not been forthcoming.
“We have to have a risk assessment in order to obtain a road closure, and also to use public land. When I did this it came out negative because of the potential small number on the committee to organise these.
“Although we know people will be disappointed, we hope there will be understanding as to why we took our decision.
“We have decided to donate the funds we have so far raised to the BBC Children in Need, and to formally shut down the committee. To all people who did support – at least morally – we give thanks, as I do to my fellow town councillors. I am particularly sad we have had to make such a decision.”
