THE BLOXIDGE TALLYGRAPH

Dateline:  21 November 2009

At a meeting on Tuesday evening, Bloxwich Carnival Committee held its Annual General Meeting during which the date for next year's Carnival was agreed and elections held for the coming year's Committee, which now includes Bloxidge Tallygraph publisher Stuart Williams.

At the meeting, the Chairman, Ken Worley, also paid tribute to carnival programme editor George Jevons, who has retired after many years sterling service.  He also acknowledged the hard work of the Committee and the many supporters of Bloxwich Carnival, including the Carnival Queen and her entourage, officers of New Deal/New Horizons, Walsall Council staff and members of Bloxwich Rotary. 

Despite the disastrous weather on Carnival day this year which inevitably resulted in a significant drop in income, the organisation is still in good shape to maintain the traditional event, in part due to increased sponsorship (notably from Walsall Housing Group) and planning has already begun for next year.

The worst blow to Bloxwich's premier annual event in 2009 was however the need to cancel the parade for the first time since the Carnival's re-launch in 2000.  This was caused primarily by increased costs for road closures, transport shortages and health and safety red tape which made it impractical for the parade to continue.

Sadly, this also forced the signature moment of the event, the crowning of the Carnival Queen, Princess and Rosebud, a tradition going back decades, to be moved from its much-loved location by Bloxwich Fountain in Promenade Gardens to the King George V Playing Fields.  Together with the loss of the parade round the village (replaced by tableaux in KGV) this resulted in a loss of passing trade and the event's popular central focus.

Despite this, the Carnival was able to concentrate on King George V Playing Fields with some excellent stalls and attractions, and all went well despite damp conditions until an incredible deluge from the skies in the afternoon put paid to much of the fun, forcing an early conclusion - see our full illustrated report for more via this link.

Good news however was that there were a record number of entrants for the Carnival Queen contest, won this year by Sally Kirk, and the all-important senior citizens party was highly successful, possibly even the best since 2000.  Again, record numbers of fine Young Ambassadors representing local primary schools plus a quality programme and Pat Collins Fun Fair maintained the high standards expected from the event, now one of the largest Carnivals in the West Midlands. 

Despite the problems on the day, which were out of the control of the organisers, those who attended the 2009 Bloxwich Carnival still thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as did those attending on a similarly wet day in 1959! All this just goes to prove that you can't keep Bloxwich folk down!

It is hoped that something special can be arranged in the village centre, possibly in Bloxwich Park, to reinstate the central start of the Carnival next year, though it is very unlikely that the parade can be revived under present circumstances.

The 2010 Bloxwich Carnival will take place on Saturday 7 August.  The Bloxidge Tallygraph will be strongly supporting the event as usual - we hope you will too!

• Sam Jones: Abbey Primary School.
• Thomas Davis: Blakenall Heath Junior School.
• Luke Beards: Christ Church C of E Primary School.
• Alan Mpofu: Edgar Stammers Primary School.
• Alex Elshaw: Elmore Green Primary School.
• Luke Dean: Green Rock Primary School.
• Liam Bellingham: Harden Primary School.
• Morgan Chaplin: Little Bloxwich C of E Primary School.
• Bradley Hughes-Aldridge: Mossley Primary School.
  

2008 Carnival royalty:  L to R:  Charlotte Ann Richards, Samantha Footman, Lindy Barnsley and (front) Saffron Lily Law.  Picture:  Stuart Williams.

Dateline:  14 May 2009

Bloxwich Carnival organisers have this week stated that despite the sad news that there will be no parade, the 2009 carnival will continue to build on the success of previous events which have over the past few years made the town's annual festival one of the biggest volunteer-run carnivals in the West Midlands.

Ken Worley, Chairman of the carnival committee, said "With much regret there will not be a street parade this year.  As with many carnivals it has had to be abandoned due to the increasing health and safety regulations, insurance and other costs."

"These factors have impacted on us as a committee and other volunteers such as road hauliers who provide the floats.  It is a requirement to record the drivers' hours (although they are volunteers), the sides of lorries have to have boards on the sides and a notice to stop throwing of coins onto floats.  Restraints also have to be put on floats for the occupiers.  This is compounded with the necessity in the West Midlands to have to employ private marshals for traffic control, and in the case of Bloxwich changes to the traffic flow at Somerfield Road and the impending Red Route."

Bloxwich Carnival has been told it must increase its public liability insurance from £5 million to £10 million this year.  The cost in putting on a parade now well exceeds £2000, and with street collections only netting £480 last year it has been decided to return to the successful formula of three years ago by concentrating efforts on the show in King George V Playing Fields.

The elements of the carnival will still all be included, however, with static tableaux by community groups taking the place of floats.  The election and crowning of the Carnival Queen, Princess and Rosebud as well as the awards to the young Bloxwich school ambassadors will continue to take place and it is hoped these will be transported down the High Street after crowning in King George's field.

Mr. Worley concluded "We hope the people of Bloxwich, Blakenall and Leamore will appreciate why such actions have had to be taken, and we look forward to their continued support."

HOT ACTS IN KING GEORGE'S

The daring  James Dillon Stunt Team will return this year with a new programme.  Canine capers by the talented pooches of the South Staffordshire Dog team will entertain all.  Live music is courtesy of the New Washboard Syncopators Jazz Band.  A wide variety of craft emonstrations will be laid on and many stalls will be on show from local voluntary groups as usual.  Last but definitely not least, the legendary Pat Collins Fun Fair returns to its spiritual home as the icing on the cake!

Families will be delighted to hear that there is no increase in admission charges over last year, and the carnival remains a non-profit function with proceeds being ploughed back into future events and the traditional senior citizens party. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

The long-term future of Bloxwich Carnival depends on new volunteers coming forward, either to work within the committee or to help on the day itself.  New people, regardless of age, are urgently required!  If you would like to help put something back into your local community, contact Ken Worley (see below).

IMPORTANT DATES AND CONTACTS

CARNIVAL ROYALTY - The election of the Carnival Queen, Princess and Rosebud will take place at St. John's Church, Victoria Avenue, Bloxwich on 11 June at 6pm.  Contact John Millard on 07961 160663 or 07736 388209 for details and application forms.

COMMUNITY TABLEAUX - If you are interested in setting up a Community Tableaux (formerly float) please contact Dave Chell at Bloxwich Community Partnership on 01922 682228.

SENIOR CTIZENS PARTY - This will be on 16 July at Bloxwich Sports & Leisure Centre.  Contact Max Hinks on 01922 701676 for details.

CARNIVAL DAY - Saturday 1 August in King George V Playing Fields. 

GENERAL INFORMATION - Ken Worley on 01922 400356.

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