Carnival Meeting - 2nd November 2007

Council Members Present: Cllrs J Atkins, Mrs S Boakes, D Keeley, L Withey, Mrs S Hunter (Town Clerk)

Members of the Public Present: Helen Comber, Veronica Tipp, Caroline Crittenden, Gill Smith, Hanna Flynn, Tiffany Lowry, Paul Hickmott, Jason Boyes, Kevin Bush, Peter Sharp, Steve Cameron, Tracy Hann, Sam Harding, Jenny Way

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Miss A Moloney, B Garlick, C King, C Block, C Grayhurst, Mrs K Grayhurst. Also from Mr Pennington, Mrs Stevenson, Katherine Wheel Pre-school and Mr Arnold.

2. Theme for 2008

The Carnival will be held on Saturday 12 July 2008 and the theme will be ‘Classic Films’.

3. Feedback from Last Year

There were problems turning the lorries at Holmesdale.
Getting the children from the floats into the arena proved more difficult than imagined.
The leading Samba Band was too slow.
Timings for the arena to be given out sooner.
A letter had been received from the Chamber of Commerce informing of a mini- festival next year.

4. What can we do differently next year?

Hopefully the problems at Holmesdale should be resolved with the completion of most of the building works.
Even though it was nice that everyone entered the arena once getting off of the floats, it did not work very well. We would like to do this again, although we need ideas on how to improve this.
We will look to have the Red Hill Core of Drums in the lead next year and we will see if we can get a walking jazz band.
Due to the Festival we were unable to give times for the arena as in the past, however we are looking to give set times fairly early on for 2008.
Mr Hickmott was looking into holding a beer festival/cricket match again as it was very popular.

5. What would you like to see in the Arena?

Brooks Academy requested a fifteen minute slot near to the start.
The Irish Dancers were popular, and it would be good if we could obtain some boards to put on the grass for them to dance on.
Dee Stevenson’s pom pom team and dancers would like to perform again.
Mr Magic was very popular in the arena and we would like to have this again.
The Jazz Band (if we are able to book one) can do a turn in the arena.
We will ask Steve to do the sound system for us.

6. Any Other Items

The collection will go to ‘Crossroads’, which is a local charity.
The Clerk will contact Greens, Smurfit, Fleet House Paper Sales, WR Brown and Bobby’s Foods to see if they will sponsor the Carnival.
We will ask Anywaste Recycling if they can assist with recycling bins at the events.
We need to remember lights for the marquees.

7. Date of the next meeting

The date of the next meeting is Friday 25 January 2008.
The Clerk will put these minutes on the STC website and noticeboards, with a request for any other ideas.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9 pm.