No parade for Attleborough carnival
It is one of the highlights of the South Norfolk calendar.But officials from Attleborough Carnival have revealed that there will be no parade next month as a result of the economic gloom.
It is one of the highlights of the South Norfolk calendar.
But officials from Attleborough Carnival have revealed that there will be no parade next month as a result of the economic gloom.
The procession of colourful floats, people in fancy dress, and crowning of the carnival queen has been running in the town for more than 35 years and attracts thousands of visitors as well as raising hundreds of pounds for local charities every year.
But the town's carnival committee chairman spoke of his 'disappointment' after not organising a procession or carnival queen competition this year because of the impact of the recession.
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John Taylor also blamed last year's committee for introducing new measures such as a no standing rule and safety barriers for all floats for why the parade went from 42 entrants in 2007 to just a handful of floats last year.
'It has gone from one of the biggest carnivals in Norfolk to a village fete. We were second to Cromer Carnival, but it has gone to nothing. It is a big disappointment,' he said.
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The Attleborough Carnival Committee will still be staging a family fun day and party in the park at the recreation ground in Thieves Lane on June 20. An illuminated neon light parade is also being planned as part of the town's Christmas carnival celebrations in November.
Mr Taylor said he hoped the summer procession could be resurrected next year and called on more townsfolk to come forward to organise the event.
'Last year we had a lot of health and safety issues regarding floats, which hopefully we can resolve next year. There are half a dozen committee members at the moment and we are finding it hard to put it together. We need ten to 12 main members and we are looking for new blood and fresh ideas,' he said.
Michael Horton-Jones, who is also on the carnival committee, added that it was unfair to ask companies to pay �300 a float and sponsor the carnival at a time when they were struggling in the economic climate and making redundancies.
'It is difficult for companies and it is difficult for individuals. We are trying to go back to something that will support the community and is affordable to the community,' he said.
