MONMOUTH Carnival is moving from the first Sunday in August to the second as an experiment. This year's event will be on the glorious 12th.
The organisers say that for the past four years, despite terrific crowds, they have struggled to meet the event's costs. Even though the attendance is probably in excess of 4,000, the revenue from individual street collections has only once made £400.
Carnival entertainment takes place on public land so there are no gate receipts and other income derives from fairly modest rents on stalls. Without the generosity of Monmouth Town Council it is doubtful that the Carnival could go ahead in its present form.
In part it is thought that Carnival supporters may be "spent out" by the Festival as traditionally the Festival week culminates with the Carnival.
The move, several years ago, from Saturday to Sunday, was then thought to be radical and risky, but it has proved extremely popular. It is hoped that this recent decision will be equally successful.
The present committee of six have been organising the event for the past nine years and a good deal of work, administration and commitment is required. They are desperate for new membership and help to take the Carnival past this summer. Appeals last year yielded no support.
This will be the 24th successive year since Mr George Butler, a former Town Mayor, resurrected the event and hopefully it will not be the last.
Anyone who would like to become involved should contact the Carnival Secretary, Sherren McCabe Finlayson, on Monmouth 714600.