Following a second public consultation meeting at Hendy RFC on Wednesday 30th January the Festival committee have agreed to discontinue with the traditional Carnival Parade and hold a community Summer Fete instead at Coed Bach Park.
The main reasons behind the decision are as follows:
Organising the parade requires Road Closure Orders and a minimum of 18 Persons to man the road as well as stewards to walk with the Lorries.
It also requires at least 10 Personnel to man the entrance to Coed back park due to the volume of people entering and pushing their way in behind the lorries.
It also requires at least 10 Personnel to man the entrance to Coed back park due to the volume of people entering and pushing their way in behind the lorries.
Every year we struggle to get assistance for these tasks. The committee as it stands does not have the resources. Marshals are then brought in at a cost to perform these roles.
Road closure orders and Policing / Marshal cost in the region of £600.
Currently we utilise the Soccer playing fields at Coed Bach hired from Swansea City Council at a cost of £450. Insurance almost £900
Due to the litter left we then organise a complete litter pick £75
These are just some of the costs.
Currently we utilise the Soccer playing fields at Coed Bach hired from Swansea City Council at a cost of £450. Insurance almost £900
Due to the litter left we then organise a complete litter pick £75
These are just some of the costs.
In fairness to the Haulage companies who provide the Lorries free of charge they find it more difficult each year to assist with drivers and Lorries.
The number of floats being entered has dwindled making the parade shorter each year. The float organisers themselves find it hard to get people to help prepare the floats. An example; we used to have 5-6 floats from the 3 schools Last year we had one.
This is not a criticism but a clear sign of the times.
This is not a criticism but a clear sign of the times.
The work involved in organising the Parade and the application forms that have to be completed are getting more complicated each year.
Although the festival Committee have adequate public liability insurance for the event it is impossible to get insurance cover for the Floats. Should an unfortunate incident occur whereby for an example a child falls from a lorry then who is held liable ?? (The Festival Committee !!!)
Although the festival Committee have adequate public liability insurance for the event it is impossible to get insurance cover for the Floats. Should an unfortunate incident occur whereby for an example a child falls from a lorry then who is held liable ?? (The Festival Committee !!!)
Although this decision has not been taken lightly, for several years we have noticed more and more separate events being organised locally on Carnival day obviously benefitting from the number of people coming into the area. As a result this has reduced the number of people attending the field and taking an active part in the Carnival field events. Whilst this is not a criticism of those organising the events it is inevitable that if people don’t support the Carnival with their attendance then changes need to be made. In essence the success of outside events has contributed to the demise of the Carnival in its current format.
Currently Pubs and Clubs make a lot of profit from Carnival day with the parade but unfortunately the Festival Committee does not get any contribution from them apart from one pub despite the huge costs laid out to put on the parade.
It has been decided that a summer community fete be held as an alternative to the traditional Carnival.
For ease of costs the Pontarddulais Rugby Club have offered their ground free of charge and their events team have indicated that they would like to take over the long term running of this event.
It has been stipulated and agreed that the income from the event is retained in the Community fund to sustain future events.
The festival committee are happy to continue to help with this and to continue with the Christmas Parade as usual as long as the funding is secured which currently comes from both Llanedi Community Council and Pontarddulais Town Council. (Last year the cost was nearly £900)
Currently Pubs and Clubs make a lot of profit from Carnival day with the parade but unfortunately the Festival Committee does not get any contribution from them apart from one pub despite the huge costs laid out to put on the parade.
It has been decided that a summer community fete be held as an alternative to the traditional Carnival.
For ease of costs the Pontarddulais Rugby Club have offered their ground free of charge and their events team have indicated that they would like to take over the long term running of this event.
It has been stipulated and agreed that the income from the event is retained in the Community fund to sustain future events.
The festival committee are happy to continue to help with this and to continue with the Christmas Parade as usual as long as the funding is secured which currently comes from both Llanedi Community Council and Pontarddulais Town Council. (Last year the cost was nearly £900)
The Christmas Grotto will be retained as well as the inter schools sports competition. These events are totally none profit making as they are free.
The committee are all volunteers who have worked tirelessly for many years in bringing these events to the community. For that I thank each and every one of them. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all our Patrons who have given generously over the years to support us, the advertisers, local traders and the hauliers for the lorries, not forgetting the Stalls from various organisations.
Although this may be disappointing for many we have had to face the reality checks on the whole event and realised it was no longer sustainable and safe to continue as it was. I hope we all as a community embrace the new format and support the new event. More details will be published later.
A further meeting to set a New committee has been arranged for Wednesday 20th February at the Pontarddulais Rugby Club
Thank you for your continued support
Lyn Anthony
Chairman. Pontarddulais, Hendy & District Festival Committee.
Chairman. Pontarddulais, Hendy & District Festival Committee.
