Witham: Carnival in danger of folding

9:00am Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News

Some of the entrants at this year's carnival Some of the entrants at this year's carnival

Witham Carnival is in danger of folding unless volunteers come forward to save it.

The tradition dates back to 1929 and became an annual event in 1951, when the Royal Air Force Association took it on until 1976, when the Witham Carnival Association was formed.

But age and work commitments have forced several members to step down, leaving next year's festivities hanging in the balance.

See today's Witham and Braintree Times for full story.

Comments (12)

11:48am Wed 17 Oct 12

Witham1901 says...

I went to the Carnival this year, and there were only 2 floats. It's full of carnival queens and marching bands. Youth groups and other organisations need to be encouraged to enter floats - there are plenty of brownie/guides, cubs/scouts and cadet groups in the town.
It must be disheartening for the organisers, volunteers who put in all the time and effort for something good for our town and then for only 2 groups to bother putting in a float.
I went to the Carnival this year, and there were only 2 floats. It's full of carnival queens and marching bands. Youth groups and other organisations need to be encouraged to enter floats - there are plenty of brownie/guides, cubs/scouts and cadet groups in the town. It must be disheartening for the organisers, volunteers who put in all the time and effort for something good for our town and then for only 2 groups to bother putting in a float. Witham1901

12:01pm Wed 17 Oct 12

Bhudeeka says...

what happened to all the english people
what happened to all the english people Bhudeeka

12:18pm Wed 17 Oct 12

Witham1901 says...

It's a diverse culture in Witham these days, you of all people should know that Bhudeeka.
Why are you so insistent on slamming every article/photo that doesn't have an "English" looking person in it. We should embrace other cultures.
If your comment had come from an English person, that would be classed as racist - but I have noticed on this site, you appear to be the worst.
It's a diverse culture in Witham these days, you of all people should know that Bhudeeka. Why are you so insistent on slamming every article/photo that doesn't have an "English" looking person in it. We should embrace other cultures. If your comment had come from an English person, that would be classed as racist - but I have noticed on this site, you appear to be the worst. Witham1901

4:21pm Wed 17 Oct 12

The Yellow Peril says...

Do people really want carnivals these days? I think the world has moved on from floats and princesses and we should look for other forms of public entertainment. Some fresh ideas might be a welcome relief (or personally for me - nothing at all would do just fine but I realise that's not everyone's view).
Do people really want carnivals these days? I think the world has moved on from floats and princesses and we should look for other forms of public entertainment. Some fresh ideas might be a welcome relief (or personally for me - nothing at all would do just fine but I realise that's not everyone's view). The Yellow Peril

4:58pm Wed 17 Oct 12

carlytkd says...

The Carnival is for the Town and it helps raise money for local charities how many other organisations do this?
The Carnival is for the Town and it helps raise money for local charities how many other organisations do this? carlytkd

11:08am Thu 18 Oct 12

ImJustSaying says...

I have to disagree that "the world" has moved on from carnivals. Take Brazil for example where carnival is still one of the most popular, extravagant and exciting events to take place every year.

I am English but now live in Spain. In the last three years I have seen carnivals in big citys, small villages and everything in between. People contribute and have big street parties where pensioners are invited to a big meal, people take pride in this and have realised how important these values are, especially in a time of such economic downturn.

The unfortunate change I believe is the attitude of the people in the UK. I dont think there is the same amount of thought or care by the large majority anymore. I am sure many factors have triggered the change in priorities, values and principles. Each will have their reason also.
I have to disagree that "the world" has moved on from carnivals. Take Brazil for example where carnival is still one of the most popular, extravagant and exciting events to take place every year. I am English but now live in Spain. In the last three years I have seen carnivals in big citys, small villages and everything in between. People contribute and have big street parties where pensioners are invited to a big meal, people take pride in this and have realised how important these values are, especially in a time of such economic downturn. The unfortunate change I believe is the attitude of the people in the UK. I dont think there is the same amount of thought or care by the large majority anymore. I am sure many factors have triggered the change in priorities, values and principles. Each will have their reason also. ImJustSaying

1:26pm Thu 18 Oct 12

Bhudeeka says...

really witham 1901 just like foreign nationals embrace YOUR culture i think you need to wake up and if expressing a valid opinon is racist in your eyes so be it
really witham 1901 just like foreign nationals embrace YOUR culture i think you need to wake up and if expressing a valid opinon is racist in your eyes so be it Bhudeeka

1:27pm Thu 18 Oct 12

Bhudeeka says...

oh and if or one do not want to see a notting hill style carnival in witham not nice at all carnivals have alwyas been overrated and are now outdated
oh and if or one do not want to see a notting hill style carnival in witham not nice at all carnivals have alwyas been overrated and are now outdated Bhudeeka

3:24pm Thu 18 Oct 12

The Yellow Peril says...

Bhudeeka - we are agreeing again. How can this be?
Bhudeeka - we are agreeing again. How can this be? The Yellow Peril

11:40am Fri 19 Oct 12

Witham1901 says...

Just because others do not embrace our culture doesn't meant to say that we shouldn't have to embrace theirs. Two wrongs don't make a right and all that.
Just because others do not embrace our culture doesn't meant to say that we shouldn't have to embrace theirs. Two wrongs don't make a right and all that. Witham1901

7:22am Mon 22 Oct 12

brownie01 says...

@1901 - I note that you state that no brownie/scout units where involved in this years carnival. Which in fact one of the groups involved was a brownie group which won all the tops prizes this year. Every member of the group from brownies, to adult leaders and volunteers spent many hours organising and putting together the float on the day, all in the group enjoyed the day and are more than happy to enter in many years to come. The main issues with entering the carnival is arranging a lorry to participate, as many companies wish not to get involved due to cost/insurance/ paying their staff. We have been lucky enough to have a good repour with a local company who have supported us over many years. so as a volunteer group it isn't as easy as you think to organise a float and many are put off by the the 'red tape' involved.
@1901 - I note that you state that no brownie/scout units where involved in this years carnival. Which in fact one of the groups involved was a brownie group which won all the tops prizes this year. Every member of the group from brownies, to adult leaders and volunteers spent many hours organising and putting together the float on the day, all in the group enjoyed the day and are more than happy to enter in many years to come. The main issues with entering the carnival is arranging a lorry to participate, as many companies wish not to get involved due to cost/insurance/ paying their staff. We have been lucky enough to have a good repour with a local company who have supported us over many years. so as a volunteer group it isn't as easy as you think to organise a float and many are put off by the the 'red tape' involved. brownie01

1:42pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Witham1901 says...

I didn't say that there weren't any brownie/scout groups involved. I just said that there are plenty of brownie/scout/cadet groups in Witham and if they all got involved then the carnival would be more successful.
Look at the Scout Carnival that they hold in Feering/Kelvedon every year. They have at least 10 floats in that procession each year as all the brownie/scout groups get involved and have a float.

I completely understand how hard it is to enter a float and all the restrictions you have. I am involved myself with an organisation that has a youth section, and the amount of hoops you have to jump through just to take them out of the building you use to play a game of rounders in the summer is beyond a joke.
I didn't say that there weren't any brownie/scout groups involved. I just said that there are plenty of brownie/scout/cadet groups in Witham and if they all got involved then the carnival would be more successful. Look at the Scout Carnival that they hold in Feering/Kelvedon every year. They have at least 10 floats in that procession each year as all the brownie/scout groups get involved and have a float. I completely understand how hard it is to enter a float and all the restrictions you have. I am involved myself with an organisation that has a youth section, and the amount of hoops you have to jump through just to take them out of the building you use to play a game of rounders in the summer is beyond a joke. Witham1901

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