Hedge End Carnival in jeopardy due to lack of volunteers

Hedge End Carnival, which is due to take place on Saturday July 6 2024, is in jeopardy due to a lack of volunteers. 

The event, which has also raised thousands for local good causes over the years through bucket collections, first took place in 1921.

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It includes a themed procession through the streets of Hedge End involving dozens of local organisations and a gala event in Greta Park with a funfair, stalls and entertainment. 

But the organising committee have less than half the volunteers they require for next year's event to go ahead. 

They have already been hit with a loss of around £5,000 in funds following the cancellation of last month's annual firework display due to ground conditions following wet weather. 

Now a make or break meeting has been arranged in January to make a final decision on the future of the carnival. 

Chairman Jean Rumbold, who has been involved in the carnival for around 20 years, told the Daily Echo: "We've got to the stage where we just can't carry on without more help. 

"I'm almost getting to the stage where I'm going to give up, but we mustn't. We'll give it one last shot.

"There are just seven of us on the committee now and everyone will get their family involved, but we need about 20 volunteers. We're all absolutely shattered by the end of the day as it is.

"It's a nightmare. We will have to start booking things in January if we are to go ahead so this meeting is crucial.

"It's the biggest carnival in the area and always has been. It's a part of our heritage."

Volunteers, who could just get involved on the day with roles like road marshalling or help with organisation in the run up to the event, should go to hedgeendcarnival.org.uk/volunteer-for-carnival or attend the meeting at Hedge End Village Hall on Monday January 8 at 7.30pm.