Struggling carnival in bid to stay afloat

4:52pm Friday 25th July 2008

ORGANISERS of the Bournemouth Carnival say they have received the lowest ever level of entries for the procession.

Just seven floats have confirmed they will be taking part in the procession on Sunday August 3 - way below the 20 or so floats seen in previous years.

Now committee secretary Tony Fail, who has been involved in organising the carnival for the last 40 years, is appealing to companies, groups and organisations to enter a float.

He said: "Since we moved the carnival to Bournemouth it's been low, but never this low. When we used to run it from Boscombe to Bournemouth it was fantastic - we even had to turn some floats away.

"We have the band and majorettes and quite a few walking entries so it will still go ahead this year. But we sent out so many applications for floats and they just haven't come back."

He put the lack of interest down to rising fuel costs, lack of transport and the fact it is now held on a Sunday.

"Maybe Bournemouth just doesn' walk a carnival anymore. I have been organising it for the last 40 years and I would hate to see all the hard work go down the drain."

Mr Fail said if entries to the procession remain at a low level, the committee will have to reassess its future. "We will have to have a big rethink."

The procession will begin at 4pm and closing date for entries is Friday August 1.

Organisers are also looking for girls to enter the carnival queen and princess competitions - entry closes on the day.

To get involved, call 01202 510198 or visit the website bournemouthcarnival.org.uk