Supporters of Ellesmere Carnival, which has been saved after a row over fees, claim the event can now go from strength to strength – despite the threat of charges being introduced in 2011.
Fears were sparked that the event, which takes place on August 28, would be scrapped after Shropshire Council were said to be charging organisers a £500 clean-up fee for the use of Cremorne Gardens.
But after the council confirmed that no charges would be introduced this year, an Ellesmere Carnival Committee meeting held on March 10 decided the event was still going ahead, with 11 new people volunteering to help.
And now carnival bosses are remaining more optimistic about the future of the event, even if clean-up charges in the form of a refundable deposit are eventually brought in.
Hilary Bol, one of the organisers, said: “About 11 people put themselves forward to help at the committee meeting and everybody was adamant that we shouldn’t lose it after all the hard work put in.
“Sense has prevailed this time and now we hope the carnival can go from strength to strength in future years because it’s one of the biggest events in Ellesmere.”
Lincoln McMullan, chairman of the Ellesmere Chamber of Commerce, said: “I’m over the moon that it’s been saved because it’s a big thing for the town.
“As far as I’m aware the charges would be a deposit to cover the protection of the grounds which I think is fair enough. Whatever fee the council come up with would be refunded if the grounds have been well looked after.”
Carolyn Healy, parks and countryside manager for Shropshire Council, said: “After an event last year it took two of our officers 10 hours to clean up 80 bags of rubbish. In light of this we are considering introducing a sliding scale of charges for commercial events, and to ask community and charity events to pay a refundable deposit. But any charges to community groups or charities would not be introduced until 2011.”
By David Seadon
