Carnival comes to Wadebridge this weekend

Wadebridge Carnival's organisers have been granted eleventh-hour permission to hold a prize-giving event in Jubilee Park.

Due to a late glitch, the committee was forced to try to find alternative accommodation for its ceremony on Saturday and has now done so.

The carnival will be erecting a marquee to hand out trophies after the parade and will host a charity auction, bar and entertainment from local duo The Fandangos, which will finish at 11pm.

Wadebridge Town Council held an emergency committee meeting to discuss the issue and Cornwall Council and the police have helped to get a temporary licence approved.

At the council meeting, Councillor Elliot Osborne said: "Looking at the schedule, the event will only run until 11pm and I think it'll be nice for the community.

"Everyone can get involved and I really don't think that the nearby residents will mind as a one-off event."

But not all were in favour, with new councillor Alison Batchelor telling the meeting: "I wholeheartedly support the carnival and wish them every success but my main concern is for the residents and how the sound could magnify across the water to the people of Camelside.

"I would be much happier if the event finished earlier and if the marquee was closer to the cricket club."

The council voted to allow the carnival committee's proposal to go ahead as outlined.

After the meeting, carnival chairman Nicky Ryland thanked the town council, Cornwall Council, the police for helping with permission and Camel Rugby Club for donating the marquee and putting it up.

She also thanked the Fandangos for agreeing to provide the music, and the rugby club for providing the bar.

"We're really hoping the evening will be enjoyed by the whole family and people will come and support us," she said.

Anyone who wishes to take part in the carnival needs to register by 6pm in Jubilee Park, in the lower Co-op car park.

Judging will be at 6.15pm and the parade will start at 7pm.

The evening events in the marquee will start straight after the parade.

Mrs Ryland said: "We really want to make this year bigger and better and are delighted we have had so many entries so far – but we do need more."

She said new classes introduced this year included royalty and the best animal or pet and there were cash prizes for the best parade entries.

More volunteers were still needed to marshal the parade and collect charity cash.

There will be more bands this year, including Truro Samba Band, St Dennis Band, Bideford Youth Pipe Band, Samba Celtica and the Kernow Pipe Band.

She thanked Davey Brothers for putting up the bunting which would be left in place throughout the summer for the town's Folk Festival.

"Come rain or shine the carnival aims to go ahead, so please come along and support us," Mrs Ryland said.

For more information about entering or volunteering contact Mrs Ryland at the Tea Shop in Polmorla Road or call 01208 813331.

Photo: snappybex