Frome Carnival Committee say they are feeling “overwhelmed with the support shown for Frome Carnival” following their public meeting about the future of the annual event.
The meeting took place last month at Selwood School and was chaired by one of the Carnival trustees, Quin Howard-Evans. The meeting was promoted as an opportunity for the local community to come together to discuss; the future of the Carnival, how the Carnival can be improved, how the donated money is spent, and ways for people to become involved.
The committee would like to thank everyone who took the opportunity to attend the meeting and were incredibly pleased to see a large turnout, including representatives from Wessex Carnival Circuit, Carnival clubs, Rotary, Frome Town Council and members of the public.
Opening the meeting, Quin explained that money given in donations on Carnival night is transferred to the Carnival charity, which is then put back into the community through donations to local good causes and organisations. For example, in the past, the charity has provided the funds for Fair Frome to buy a van for their furniture bank and sponsored packs of toiletries for Frome Refresh.
June Barnes, chair of the Carnival committee then described the work of the committee in regard to fundraising, organising the Carnival and explained that the 2019 Carnival will coincide with visits from representatives of Frome’s twinned towns.
The meeting was then opened to the floor with a question and answer session, with discussions including:
• Reasons why larger Carnival floats do not always take part, including: some floats not being ready for the early date of Frome Carnival and the difficulty in obtaining a Vehicle Safety Order (VSO). The potential for changing the date of the Carnival and/or increasing prize money were put forward as potential solutions to this.
• The importance of promoting local entries from businesses, schools, clubs and members of the public.
• The need to further promote Carnival and the good work of the charity within the town.
• The potential for organising special events and workshops, which would allow for people to build props and costumes to enter in the Carnival in a manner reminiscent of the fabulous Christmas Lantern parade.
Full minutes of the meeting will be available and can be accessed by messaging the Carnival via Facebook or emailing info@fromecarnival .org.uk
The committee once again express their thanks to everyone who attended their meeting and are pleased to confirm that they have already started following up the many wonderful suggestions put forward during the discussions.
