ORGANISERS of Leamington Carnival have been forced to call time on the event due to lack of support.
The carnival was revived last July when floats rolled through the town for the first time in 18 years, but the carnival committee has failed in attempts to get people on board to help with the organisation, and has reluctantly decided not to carry on.
Sponsors Leamington Town Council and Warwick KIA were both keen to back the event again which costs some £5,000 to stage – but without enough volunteers there was no way the carnival could be organised. The committee has put out a number of appeals for help without success.
Jamie Walker, Chairman of Leamington Carnival Committee, told The Observer: “Today is a very sad day. We’ve decided to call it a day on Leamington Carnival. We feel there hasn’t been sufficient support to make the carnival happen.
“Last year we had a large team organising the days event, however this year only three members remain on the committee.
“Organising large community events takes a lot of manpower which of course is all voluntary and we simply haven’t got enough of this. Since the last carnival a number of call outs have been made but with no luck.
“We have also only received a small number of applications from local businesses and organisations wanting to take part, but this time last year we were almost full. Last year was a very memorable day, which the committee and town won’t forget.”
Remaining funds collected at last year’s carnival will now be distributed to local charities.
The carnival – which dates back to at least 1912 – was for many years a fixture of Leamington life but lack of interest saw the last procession held in 1996, with the event surviving in fete form only for a further two years.
Thousands turned out last summer to cheer the carnival’s return which saw 14 floats in the procession and a successful fair in the Pump Room Gardens.
